The world’s largest operating steam locomotive, known as “Big Boy,” is passing through Iowa on a historic coast-to-coast tour to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 will be stopping throughout the East Coast for the first time. Preceded by the sound of its iconic steam whistle, the 133-foot-long locomotive will make multiple public stops during its trip, timed for July Fourth semiquincentennial ceremonies. The tour began on May 25.
The Big Boy train last visited Boone during its Heartland of America Tour in 2024, stopping overnight and taking a route through Ames.
Where is the Big Boy steam engine stopping in Iowa?
The Big Boy steam engine visited Denison and Carroll on May 31 and Boone, Tama and Belle Plaine on June 1. The train will leave the state on June 2 after making stops in Cedar Rapids and Grand Mound.
The full tour schedule can be found on Union Pacific’s website.
World’s biggest steam engine is more than 80 years old
Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for the Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. The locomotives were 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds.
Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941. It was retired in December 1961, having traveled 1,031,205 miles in 20 years of service.
In May 2019, Big Boy No. 4014 returned to service to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. After a 58-year retirement and three-year restoration project, the engine regained its title as the world’s largest operating steam locomotive.
USA Today reporter Trevor Hughes contributed to this article.
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: ‘Big Boy’ train in Iowa for America 250 tour. Here’s where to see it.
Reporting by Lucia Cheng and Celia Brocker, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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