Boise Depot

The locomotive is powered by a coal fired 3500 Horse Power Mikado heavy duty engine weighing 463,000 pounds built in 1920 by the American Locomotive Compnay at Dunkirk, New York. The engine was named Mikado because the first of these engines were built for export to Japan.During 1920's it had become the primary freight engine in North America. The last engine rolled off in 1944. Engine 2295 (seen in picture) was known as Big Mike. This engine was a work horse hauling between 50-75 loaded freight cars. To negotiate the Rocky Mountains sometimes two engines would be coupled together. Big Mike served the Union Pacific Railway for 39 years before being retired to Pocatello in 1959. The UP Railway donated Big Mike to the city of Boise in 1959. It was installed in the Julia Davis Park & remained there for 48 years until it was moved to its current location in 2007.The Boise Depot in its current form was established in 1925.The onset of World War II considerably increased passenger traffic.In 1948 six passenger trains stopped at Boise Depot. Following the completion of inter state highway system in the 60's rail traffic declined sharply. Boise Depot discontinued all railroad activity in 1997.

The New Boise Depot established in 1925

The 3500 Horsepower Workhorse Big Mike

View of Down Town Boise from atop the Boise Depot - above & below

Charming stream at the foot of Boise Depot - Reflections of the Boise Depot below

Colorful fish create waves causing a distorted reflection of the Depot