Find out where it will stop in Texas

Union Pacific announced that Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, will embark on a tour this fall that will cover 10 states in eight weeks, including two stops in Texas.

The Heartland of America Tour kicks off August 29 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and will travel through Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. The eight-week tour will conclude at the end of October.

The freight railroad’s initial announcement includes only three sets of exhibition days. On September 8, the locomotive will stop in Rochelle, Illinois, about 80 miles west of Chicago. And then on October 8, it will stop in Houston before heading to Fort Worth on October 10-11.

Display locations and times in these cities will be shared closer to the tour, the railroad said.

In addition to the exhibition dates, Big Boy No. 4014 will make several stops in communities along its route. Details on locations and approximate times will be announced later, the railway company said.

In total, the locomotive will have visited 14 states in 2024, including five states on a westbound summer tour from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Roseville, California. This tour will begin on June 30 and end on July 26.

Union Pacific reminds all rail fans to keep safety in mind and stay 25 feet from the tracks when taking a photo or looking closely at the gigantic locomotive. Never take photos or videos while standing on the track or ballast and never ride on the locomotive or equipment, the railroad said.

There is no public access to the Big Boy outside of listed stops.

No. 4014 is the only Big Boy steam locomotive in service today. Union Pacific restored it in 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad.

A total of 25 Big Boy locomotives were built for the Union Pacific to haul heavy cargo during World War II, but only eight remain in existence. The other seven are on display throughout the country. They are found in St. Louis, Missouri; Dallas, TX; Omaha, Nebraska; Denver, Colo.; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

No. 4014 is massive, even by today’s standards. It is 132 feet long and weighs 1.2 million pounds. Due to its great length, the Big Boy’s frame is “articulated” or hinged, to allow it to negotiate curves. It has a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, which means it has four wheels on the main set of pilot wheels that guide the motor, eight drive wheels, another set of eight pilots and four following wheels that support the rear of the engine. locomotive.

When operating normally, the massive engines traveled normally between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.