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The US Sun
Iconic ‘Big Boy’ Union Pacific Steam train makes epic journey across 10 states – route map & how you can get onboard
By Olivia Salamone,
3 hours ago
THE infamous “Big Boy” Union Pacific steam train has announced a fall tour that includes stops across 10 states over two months.
It plans to stop in over three dozen communities as part of the 2024 Heartland of America Tour.
People stand to watch ‘Big Boy’ No. 4041 as it pulls into the station Union Pacific Railroad The trains use the Union Pacific railroad which starts in Iowa and ends in California Union Pacific Railroad
The tour takes off on August 28 from Cheyenne, Wyoming, per Union Pacific.
“Big Boy” No. 4014 will pass through Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming.
The Westward Bound Summer Tour was earlier in the summer from June 30 to July 26.
‘BIG BOY’ HISTORY
During World War II, 25 “Big Boys” were built for the Union Pacific Railroad, per Union Pacific.
The trains were 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds.
Due to their size, when designing the trains, engineers made the frames hinged so they were able to take curves smoothly.
Each train also had 24 wheels and used 56,000 lbs of coal to fuel its engine.
When they were used, they often operated between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
In December 1941, “Big Boy” No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific and later retired in 1961.
During its 20 years of operation, it traveled 1,031,205 miles.
There are only eight surviving “Big Boys” and seven are on display across the country.
They are in St. Louis, Missouri, Dallas, Texas, Omaha, Nebraska, Denver, Colorado, Scranton, Pennsylvania, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
“Big Boy” No. 4014 is the only one still operating and it remains the world’s largest operating steam locomotive.
HOW TO SEE THE TRAIN
When “Big Boy” pulls into a station, admission to display days are free to the public.
August 28: Cheyenne, Wyoming
August 29: Sidney, Nebraska
August 31: North Platte, Nebraska
September 2: Grand Island, Nebraska
September 4: Council Bluffs, Iowa
September 5: Boone, Iowa
September 6: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
September 7: Rochelle, Illionis
September 10: Villa Grove, Illinois
September 11: St. Louis, Missouri
September 13: Poplar Bluff, Missouri
September 14: Jonesboro, Arkansas
September 15: North Little Rock, Arkansas
September 17: Texarkana, Arkansas
September 18: Dallas, Texas
October 4: Hearne, Texas
October 5: Houston, Texas
October 8: Bryan, Texas
October 10: Fort Worth, Texas
October 14: McAlester, Oklahoma
October 15: Osawatomie, Kansas
October 16: Kansas City, Missouri
October 18: Salina, Kansas
October 20: Hays, Kansas
October 21: Strasburg, Colorado
October 22: Denver, Colorado
However, opportunities to ride the trains are rare.
During the fall tour, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum auctioned off four cab rides on the steam train.
All the proceeds will go to the Union Pacific Museum Association and Union Pacific’s Friend to Friend Network which is a nonprofit that helps railroad families in need.
Union Pacific also reminds all excited train fans to be safe when near the tracks.
“Keep safety top of mind and stay 25 feet back from the tracks when taking a picture or viewing this mammoth machine,” Union Pacific wrote .
“That means never take a picture or video standing on the track or the ballast and never climb on the locomotive or equipment.”
‘Boy Boy’ will travel from Cheyenne, Wyoming as its stops at cities around the midwest during its fall tour Union Pacific Railroad Signs are displayed on the front of the steam train labeling it as Union Pacific ‘Big Boy’ 4014 Union Pacific Railroad Workers in yellow vests stand in ‘Big Boy’ No. 4014 Union Pacific Railroad People take pictures of the infamous steam engine as it fuels its engine Union Pacific Railroad
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