Illinois residents rushed to excitedly cheer on the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, nicknamed Big Boy No. 4014, as it passed through West Chicago Wednesday on its journey east.
The train will travel to Pennsylvania to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday before heading back west and making a couple of final whistle-stops in Illinois.
Here’s what Illinois residents are saying online about the locomotive phenomenon.
Big Boy stops in West Chicago to fanfare
A WGN-TV reporter captured footage of the large crowds gathered around the historic train, including one enthusiast who described it as “incredible.” When asked what he liked about the train, the fan replied, “Just the sheer size of it and the history behind it.”
Another local fan from Chicago captured photos of the train and its head engineer, along with footage of the locomotive’s booming horn, describing the spectacle as “definitely worth the trip” from the city.
West Chicago Mayor Daniel Bovey even shared footage of him riding behind the conductor and waving to fans out the window while holding up the town’s flag.
Meanwhile, Illinois House Rep. Maura Hirschauer spotlighted the entertainment set up for fans at the West Chicago stop.
“The City of West Chicago did an amazing job planning an engaging event that presented the engine to the public, spotlighted local food trucks and hosted an awesome kids zone,” Hirschauer wrote alongside photos of dart balloon and strongman games.
Enthusiasts film Big Boy train as it passes through Illinois
Fans also made sure to snap photos and video of the locomotive as it passed through the state.
One group of residents captured footage of Big Boy as it crossed into Blue Island, passing by dozens of local fans performing photo opps.
Another Big Boy enthusiast shared footage of the train as it sped through DeKalb.
Other residents made sure to film the train as it neared its whistle-stops in Rochelle and Sterling.
Where else is Big Boy train stopping in Illinois?
The historic locomotive will be making two last whistle-stops in Illinois during its journey back west, generally lasting 15-30 minutes each.
The train will pass by the Amtrak Depot in Springfield between 10:45-11:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, before making a final whistle-stop at Center St. Crossing in Girard between 1-1:30 p.m.
Track Big Boy as it continues journey across the US
Rail fanatics can follow Big Boy on its coast-to-coast tour using Union Pacific’s real-time location tracker.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: ‘Big Boy’ fans flood social media as train passes through Illinois
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
