The Big Boy Train went through Camden

EL DORADO, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — The Union Pacific Big Boy Train No. 4014 departed on the “Heartland of America Tour” on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and travel across nine additional states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Yesterday in Camden, Arkansas, the train was spotted around 1:45. The community came together to view the train as it passed. They really enjoyed seeing it and embracing the history of this train. KTVE/KARD spoke with Megan Yerkes and Leah Kirksey for more information about the community excitement.

Well, when we started hearing about the big boy was going to be coming through South Arkansas, it got me excited because our family just gets real excited about different trains. And then when I realized it was actually going to be in our back yard, I thought, Surely, we can do something. And I just love how Camden and even all of South Arkansas is just they get excited and want to do fun thing. I honestly had no idea. I didn’t know if there would be five of my closest friends show up or this great response that we’ve had here today. But it just shows you how a Camden and South Arkansas we like to have fun. Very excited. You know, I wish it was stopping in our backyard. But like, we love it. We love it.

Megan Yerkes

The first big boy was delivered in 1941. there had been a few designs of big trains a few years before, and in beginning there was 25 of them. but now there is only eight. The big boy train is a piece of history that is still active today. of the eight that are left, there is only one that is still operational.

I’m excited. I’m a history buff. And also, we have a homeschool co-operative here in Camden that our kids belong to, and we decided to just bring the kids on over here and let them have a look. It’s being a part of a small community where, you know, people think that, well, this might be something like that. You would see in Mayberry. Don’t just go down to the train track and see a historical train go by. So, I think it’s great.

Leah Kirksey

The train is still currently on schedule, and you can visit this website to see where it is going next.