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 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.”
When and where is Big Boy passing through Indiana?
Rail fans will be able to see the train in action at a whistle-stop between 12:30 and 1 p.m. in Knox, at North Main Street and West Bender Street, according to Union Pacific.
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 Indianapolis Star: When and where Big Boy No 4014 train passes through Indiana again
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall and Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY NETWORK / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Hannah Hudnall and Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
