This story was updated to include information about the whistle-stop in Dwight.
The world’s largest operating steam locomotive is headed west to wrap up its 10-stop journey across the United States following a celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in Philadelphia.
Officially known as Big Boy No. 4014, the train will make a couple last whistle stops in Illinois before returning to Wyoming.
What is Big Boy No. 4014?
Delivered to Union Pacific in 1941, the locomotive was among 25 built to haul wartime freight across the Continental Divide in Wyoming and Utah. Big Boy is the last one running, and in the 1960s was converted to burn oil instead of coal.
Big Boy is 133 feet long and weighs 1.2 million pounds. It traveled more than 1 million miles during its working life hauling freight between Cheyenne and Ogden, Utah. The train typically draws large crowds of rail enthusiasts, and it’s common to see superfans with cameras in hand chasing it in cars.
“Union Pacific couldn’t be prouder to share this powerful piece of history with the nation and to be a part of America’s birthday celebration,” Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said in a statement. “This tour celebrates our company’s rich 164-year history, our nation’s amazing story and the people who have helped build our great country and our railroad.”
Where are Big Boy’s remaining stops?
The train will head west through Ohio and Missouri back toward Wyoming, stopping in the following locations:
Where is Big Boy passing through Illinois? What time can residents see it?
Though the train is not making any more official stops in Illinois, rail fans will be able to see the train in action at a couple last whistle-stops, generally lasting 15-30 minutes long.
The train will pass through Dwight on Friday, July 17, between 1:15 and 1:45 p.m. CT. It will be visible at the intersection of South Washington Street and Odell Road.
It will then pass by the Amtrak Depot in Springfield between 10:45-11:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, before traveling through the Center St. Crossing in Girard between 1-1:30 p.m. This will be the last public viewing of the train in Illinois.
Track Big Boy as it travels 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’ train returns to Illinois this weekend. Where to see it
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall and Trevor Hughes, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Hannah Hudnall and Trevor Hughes, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
