Chugging along its "Heartland of America" tour, the legendary Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is primed to steam through Illinois with multiple whistle stops for public viewing. The tour began in Wyoming and after stopping in Nebraska and Iowa, it's now set to give Illinois residents a chance to witness the classic locomotive, as detailed in a report by NBC Chicago.
Measuring over two city buses in length and boasting a weight surpassing that of a fully loaded Boeing 747, Big Boy No. 4014 captures the imagination with its sheer size and strength, pulling the equivalent of sixteen Statues of Liberty over a mountain, as noted by a report from RepMcCombie.com. As it departs from Cheyenne, Wyoming, the majestic locomotive will be visible for enthusiasts in towns like Sterling, Rochelle, and Nokomis, where the historical steel titan will make its presence felt amid townsfolk.
The Illinois portion of the tour kicks off in Sterling on September 6, with the Big Boy scheduled for a 15-minute appearance from 1:30 - 1:45 p.m. CT at 111 W. 2nd St. Following that will be a morning showcase in Rochelle on September 9, from 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. CT at Rochelle Railroad Park, located at 124 N. 9th St., and later the same day, the train stops in Watseka from 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. CT. The engine will finally whizz by Nokomis on September 10, slowing down briefly from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m. CT at the Maple St. Crossing.
Enthusiasts eager to behold the spectacle must keep a distance of at least 25 feet from the tracks and are advised to refrain from taking pictures or videos on the tracks or ballast, and climbing on the locomotive or its equipment is strictly prohibited. This last of its kind, the Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 was part of an elite fleet of 25 engines crafted in the 1940s to conquer the harsh grades of Utah's Wasatch Mountain Range; it is the sole survivor still operational today. Following its tour through Illinois, the train will carry on to greet admirers in Missouri, and Arkansas, among other states, as it completes its Heartland America circuit. Details on the full tour schedule can be found here.
