The Union Pacific railroad has announced that the world's most famous, and largest, steam locomotive Big Boy #4014 will be heading back out on a cross-country tour through the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming beginning August 5th.
As a stroke of luck the locomotive will be passing through my town of Lecompte, Louisiana sometime during the week of August 21st after being on display in New Orleans. Though the locomotive and its train normally make short stops and overnight stops along the route, it would be highly unlikely that it would stop here despite the fact that we are home to the first train station erected west of the Mississippi River.
I am confident however that the train will spend a prolonged stay in nearby Alexandria if not an overnight stay.
I can't wait for that!
Here is the press release from the UP:
Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014, will embark on "The Big Boy 2021 Tour" Aug. 5 to celebrate railroad heritage and the communities Union Pacific serves. This is the first tour since the locomotive was restored for 2019's "Great Race" tours celebrating the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. The multi-year restoration took place at Union Pacific’s steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, following a retirement that spanned six decades."Weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, the Big Boy makes a big impression in communities it visits, reminding us of bygone days and the important role the railroad continues to play in our global economy," said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. "This summer, we are proud to announce that the Big Boy will be back to tour through 10 of the states and hundreds of the communities which Union Pacific serves."
No. 4014 will leave the Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, August 5, making brief whistle-stops in communities across Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. The locomotive will be on display in the following cities:
Saturday, Aug. 14: Fort Worth, Texas
Tuesday, Aug. 17: Houston, Texas
Saturday, Aug. 21: New Orleans, Louisiana
Sunday, Aug. 29: St. Louis, Missouri
Monday, Sept. 6: Denver, Colorado
No. 4014 will return to Cheyenne following the Denver stop. A complete list of overnight and whistle stops will be released at http://upsteam.com. Fans interested in getting the latest news regarding Union Pacific’s steam program and notifications of schedule updates can join the Union Pacific Steam Club at http://up.com/SteamClub.
Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific, the first of which was delivered in 1941 to handle the steep terrain between Cheyenne and Ogden. Of the eight still in existence, No. 4014 is the world's only operating Big Boy. The other seven can be found on display in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Denver, Colorado; Frisco, Texas; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Scranton, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri.
Union Pacific strongly encourages visitors to keep safety top of mind while viewing and photographing No. 4014 on its journey. For everyone's safety:
Remember, trains can't stop quickly to avoid people or vehicles on the tracks.
A train's distance and speed can be deceiving.
The average train overhangs the track by at least three feet – take extra precaution and stand back at least 25 feet.
Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are private property.
Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive – always expect a train.
The Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car, a multi-media walk-through exhibition providing a glimpse at the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading, will accompany the Big Boy on its tour. A steam tracking map showing No. 4014's location and route will be available at upsteam.com.
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