Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection. A picture book about the restoration of Big Boy 4014, the world’s largest steam locomotive. In the 1940s, the ground rumbled as they thundered across the United States, 25 600-ton steam locomotives called Big Boys. These mammoth engines were built to pull trains transporting soldiers and freight, supporting the war effort. When less-expensive diesel-electric engines became popular, Big Boy engines were pulled from service, either to be scrapped or sent to museums and other venues as exhibits. Big Boy 4014 pulled her last train in 1959. She spent most of her retirement in California at an outdoor train museum. People came from around the world to visit, marveling at her size. But one day in 2013, a different group of visitors came to see Big Boy 4014. This group wondered what it would take to get her back on the tracks. May 9, 2019, would be the Golden Spike Celebration, the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Could Big Boy 4014 be restored in time for the celebration? Would she ever roll on the rails again? Readers of all ages are taken on a journey with Big Boy 4014, from stranded icon to restoration to the 150th Golden Spike anniversary, and then onto excursion tours. Back matter includes photos and additional facts about the Big Boys steam engines. Kids who love trains will relish the lively history, colorful illustrations by Adam Gustavson, and details of train restoration and recovery which follows how the Big Boys were not only part of the past, but are now part of present-day rail efforts... ― Midwest Book Review Published On: 2025-08-01 Big Boy 4014 and the Steam Team will reach a wide audience thanks to especially vivid connections between past and present train activity and history and the efforts of steam train preservationists to keep the engines running, all depicted in this wonderful exploration designed for maximum young reader interest. -- Diane Donovan ― Donovan's Literary Services Published On: 2025-07-01 VERDICT This is a great pick for classrooms, libraries, and any home collection. ― School Library Journal Published On: 2025-06-19 Lovers of big trains and big dreams will be over the moon for this full-throttle account of how a nine-man “Steam Team” took a Big Boy―one of the largest steam locomotives ever built―and restored it to full working order. -- John Peters ― Booklist Published On: 2025-03-15 Modeling advocacy around self-expression and sensory needs, the Hernandezes’ text prioritizes personal limits over social norms, while animation-style art from Martinez leans fittingly into depictions of physical comfort and discomfort. ― Publishers Weekly Published On: 2025-03-15 Arnold and Gustavson pay tribute to the world’s biggest steam locomotive...A mighty steam train is resurrected at last. ― Kirkus Published On: 2025-02-15 Marsha Diane Arnold is a multiple-award–winning author whose books have sold over one million copies. Called a “born storyteller” by the media, Marsha’s works include Badger’s Perfect Garden (Florida Book Awards Bronze Medal), the bilingual Galápagos Girl/Galapagueña (Bank Street Best Book and Campoy-Ada honor book) and Lights Out (Golden Kite finalist). Among her many pastimes, Marsha especially enjoys reading to her grandchildren and visiting schools to talk about writing and books. Born in rural Kansas, Marsha now lives with her husband and dog Sailor in Alva, Florida. Find out more at www.marshadianearnold.com. Adam Gustavson’s illustrations have appeared in over thirty books for children. He is a teaching professor of art at Rowan University, and lives in a quirky little house in New Jersey with his lovely wife, their two sons, and two rather small dogs.