Where did the Big Boys run?

    The main route for the Big Boys was Union Pacific's 75 mile stretch of mainline track between Ogden, Utah and Evanston, Wyoming. Outlined here in blue and white. The route took the trains through the Wasatch Mountains with grades of 1%or more. The Big Boys were able to pull a 3600 ton train across this stretch of track by themselves at speeds of 35 to 45 mph. They were used mainly during the peak fruit season from July through November, hauling heavy "red ball" produce trains over Sherman Hill. The "red balls" were high priority trains, made up entirely of Pacific Fruit Express refrigerator cars. The Big Boys tamed Sherman hill like no other engine.

Map Courtesy of www.MapQuest.com

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