SPRINGFIELD, IL – The world’s largest operating steam locomotive will soon make a stop in the capital city.
Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” No. 4014 is journeying west from the east coast in collaboration with Norfolk Southern Railway, as the railroads celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
Here’s where you can catch the locomotive in Springfield.
When is it stopping in Springfield?
“Big Boy” No. 4014 will be stopping in Springfield on Saturday, July 18.
Where will it be located?
The locomotive is set to arrive at the Amtrak Depot at 10:45 a.m. It will depart at 11:15 a.m.
Do I need tickets to see it?
There is no admission fee, and no tickets are required. People cannot go inside the locomotive. More frequently asked questions and answers can be found on Union Pacific’s website.
Nearby stops
Can’t make it to the stop in Springfield? There are more stops in the area, following the Springfield one.
The next stop is in Girard, Illinois, arriving at noon on July 18.
You can also catch the steam machine in St. Louis on Sunday, July 19 at St. Louis Union Station, 1820 Market St. The train will be on display from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Big Boy’s story
Built in 1941, the locomotive was one of 25 commissioned for Union Pacific to haul heavy equipment in support of the war effort, normally operating between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
No. 4014 is the last Big Boy in operation.
The Big Boys are 133 feet long and weigh 1.2 million pounds.
More about the trip across the U.S.
This leg of the trek began in Pennsylvania and goes west to Wyoming. This past spring, the locomotive visited California with a stop at the Central Pacific’s Milepost Zero in Sacramento where eastward construction of the transcontinental railroad began.
The locomotive took the center stage at the America250 Block Party in Philadelphia on July 4.
The coast-to-coast trip marked Big Boy’s first journey onto eastern rails since its inception.
The railroads are connecting communities and highlighting the continued importance of freight rail to the U.S. economy, according to a news release.
Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: ‘Big Boy’ train to stop in Springfield. Everything you need to know
Reporting by Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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By Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal-Register | USA TODAY Network
