TOP PHOTO: Campbell Countian Caleb Leach stands in front of the Big Boy, the worlds largest steam locomotive, at Cheyenne, Wyoming.

A six year project came to a close for Campbell Countian Caleb Leach after he recently finished his 3D printed train model of the World’s largest steam locomotive and claimed first place at the 2019 Tennessee Valley Fair.

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A six year project came to a close for Campbell Countian Caleb Leach after he recently finished his 3D printed train model of the World’s largest steam locomotive, “Big Boy.” He also donated the train model to the Cheyenne Depot Museum in Wyoming; home of the real “Big Boy.”

Cheyenne, Wyoming, now has a real taste of La Follette, Tennessee, thanks to Caleb Leach.

Leach started working on the model in high school and it took him 6 years to complete it, with over 3,000 hours of work. That included doing the CAD model, 3D printing, putting it together and painting it. It is 1/16th scale, so its about nine feet long and has over a 1,000 pieces, according to Leach, who is a 2019 Campbell County High School graduate. 

While at Cheyenne, he spent time with Ed Dickens, who is in charge of the Union Pacific steam program. Dickens was “highly impressed” with Leach’s project. 

“I’ve always loved steam locomotives since I was a little kid. Dollywood engines is where my love for them started. So one day my sophomore year I was sitting in my STEM class at CCHS and I was talking to my teacher about Union Pacific announcing that they were restoring a Big Boy to operation,” Leach said.

That’s when he “got the big idea” to design and 3d print it. At first he said he didn’t really think it was possible at all but he worked on it designing it out for about a year and half, and that’s when he realized it was possible to do.

Leach and his model in front of the actual Big Boy.

In 2019, he entered it into the Tennessee Valley fair and won first place. 

Leach started the project sophomore year of high-school and finished it while in his senior year at Tennessee Tech University. 

He chose to model the the Big Boy since it was the largest steam locomotive built, and it was being restored. 

“The model is based off the worlds largest steam locomotive, nick named the Big Boy. I got to go a few weeks ago to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and got to take pictures of the model beside the real engine,” Leach said. This was a dream come true for Leach. 

“I am the only person in the world that’s got to do something like this,” he said.

Ed Dickens (left) and Caleb Leach (right) in front of Leach’s model.

While there, he spent time with Ed Dickens, who is in charge of the Union Pacific steam program. Dickens was “highly impressed” with Leach’s project. 

Leach donated the model to the Cheyenne Depot Museum. 

After graduation from CCHS in 2019, Leach attended Roane State Community College for two years and graduated with his associate degree in science in 2021. He is currently majoring in manufacturing engineering technology with a concentration in management and will also have a minor in business and humanities after he graduates from Tennessee Tech this fall. 

Leach’s trip to Wyoming was a dream come true.

Leach also 3D prints train number plates and sells them on the side; they are very popular with train enthusiasts. To check them out, visit his Facebook page called Leach Locomotive Works or email him. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/09/2023-6AM)

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