I’ve always had the wanderlust, a natural gypsy, a free spirit. Sometimes it takes someone from another part of the world to remind me that there is so much to see and appreciate right here, in my back yard. Well, the back yard of the where I live…at any given moment.
It took someone halfway around the world to pique my interest in stopping in Cheyenne, Wyoming to see “The Mighty Big Boy” coal-fired engine that was designed to pull a 3,600 ton train between Cheyenne, Wyoming and Ogden, Utah. He wrote to me, “Yes, Cheyenne is important place for train history in the world. Big boys ( 4-8-8-4 train ) is a monster train in the world and Challenger is 2nd monster,and all born in Cheyenne.” I had to go see it.
Arriving in Cheyenne without directions, I took the exit for the Capitol. The road split and I went left, not realizing until later that I was driving away from the capitol. I hate to stop and ask for directions. I actually enjoy getting lost if it takes me somewhere interesting, so I kept driving. Eventually I took a right and drove until a park appeared on my left, so I turned in. Holliday Park, the retirement home for Old Number 4004, “The Mighty Big Boy” engine.
I was there, along with a few people, mostly men. Apparently the fascination with trains is a “boy thing” and isn’t limited to boys in the United States. After all, the man who directed me here is from Indonesia. I love that no matter where you go in the world, there are things, patterns, and interests that all people share.
I took a few photos and read the information. I’ve been wandering, living, and working in the southwest for a few years and love the “Wild West” history of pioneers, cowboys and indians, outlaws, the Santa Fe/Mormon/Oregon trails, and mining. So much history here!
More information about “Big Boy” can be found at the Cheyenne website and Steam Locomotive website at: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/bigboy/.
Enjoy the Ride!
My Road to Zion 