'Big Boy,' the 1.1 million pound train, set to tour US: See its planned stops
DENVER (KDVR/NEXSTAR) — Will Union Pacific's legendary "Big Boy" steam locomotive stop near you during its upcoming tours across much of the U.S.?
One of the world’s largest trains will pass through a number of states this summer and fall, making stops along the way to allow viewers an up-close look at the massive, 1.1-million-pound engine.
According to the Union Pacific Railroad, the train known as Big Boy No. 4010 is the world's largest operating steam locomotive.
On its website, the railroad company reflects on the history of Big Boys, which started as 25 trains that were 132 feet long and originally weighed 1.2 million pounds. Today, all are out of service, and some are on display – except for one.
Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941 and retired just 20 years later after traveling over a million miles. Thanks to a multi-year restoration process, the railroad company said the train hit the tracks again in 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad's completion.
Now, the train is up and running and heading through the United States, first on its summer "Westward Bound Tour" from Wyoming (June 30-July 4 and July 23-26) through Utah (July 4-6 and July 19-22), Nevada (July 6-9), California (July 9-14) and Idaho (July 22-23).
You can find out where and when Big Boy is stopping along the way on the Union Pacific website.
After the trip west, Big Boy will embark on an eight-week "Heartland of America Tour," which starts in Wyoming in late August. The train will pass through Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.
Rail buffs can see Big Boy during the following scheduled stops:
- Sunday, Sept. 8: Rochelle, Illinois (Chicago metro area)
- Sunday, Oct. 6: Houston, Texas
- Thursday/Friday, Oct. 10-11: Fort Worth, Texas
The railroad company said the train plans to only make quick stops, or "whistle stops," in other states.
In all, Big Boy will have traveled through 14 states in 2024.
They will announce additional stops and approximate times closer to the tour.