Railroad enthusiasts should reserve Tuesday, July 30, 2019, for a unique experience, as the a gigantic steam locomotive, No. 4014, will roar through Morrison, IL, heading west at track speed. The engine has not been in service for seven decades. Now, the Union Pacific’s historic Big Boy steam locomotive No. 4014 is touring the Union Pacific system throughout 2019, to commemorate the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary. The trek is called “The Great Race Across the Midwest,” but this is not a competition.
On Monday, July 8, at 8:00 a.m., the engine departed Cheyenne, WY, Union Pacific Steam Shop. It will return on Thursday, August 8, at 11:15 a.m. A dedicated “Steam Team” crew rides together across the Country, operaiing the locomotive. The engine burns fuel oil.
Big Boy’s return to the rails is the product of more than two years of meticulous restoration work by the Union Pacific Steam Team. No. 4014 is the world’s only operating Big Boy locomotive.
The engine will make stops for those who want to see Big Boy up close. It will be on display in West Chicago, IL, Union Pacific Larry S. Provo Training Center, 335 Spencer Street, on Saturday, July 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The schedule for Tuesday, July 30, follows.
- 8:00 a.m. departure from West Chicago
- 9:45 a.m. arrival at Rochelle, IL, Rochelle Railroad Park; departure at 10:30
- passage through Morrison
- 12:45 p.m. arrival in Clinton, IA, 1400 Beaver Channel Parkway; departure at 1:30.
Due to the dynamic nature of these operations, running times and scheduled stops are subject to change. The most accurate steam schedule information always will be located on this page: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm.
For a special California travel experience aboard No. 4014, follow this link to RailGiants Train Museum Excursion. Big Boy No. 4014 will return to Southern California to lead a special passenger excursion on October 12-13, 2019. Details are still being determined. More information will be available at http://www.railgiants.org/Big-Boy-Excursion-Info.php.
