Making its way across the nation, Big Boy 4014, an iconic steam locomotive, makes its scheduled stop at West Chicago’s Union Pacific Training Center from June 2-4. Spectators were able to witness the train arrive at the center on June 2 and were permitted to visit the locomotive on June 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. before it departed the town on June 4.
Sitting at an astonishing 133 feet long and 1.2 million pounds, Big Boy locomotives were first constructed in 1941 to haul heavy equipment between Utah and Wyoming to support the war efforts at the time.
Originally, 25 Big Boys were put together, however only eight remain. Big Boy 4014 is the only one still operating among the remaining eight. It officially retired back in 1961 after traveling more than 1 million miles. The other seven Big Boys are currently on display in seven different states across the United States.
A huge restoration project was launched back in 2013, which had Big Boy 4014 back on the tracks just in time for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 2019.
This historic locomotive is conducting a coast-to-coast tour and as of right now it is on its way to Philadelphia, where it will be on display as a part of a Fourth of July celebration. Big Boy 4014 departed Illinois on June 4, however it will be back mid-July as it makes its way back to Wyoming.
For more information visit up.com/about-us/history/steam/big-boy-4014
