Turns out, you can still catch "Big Boy." Not a new cryptocurrency, but the world's largest operating steam locomotive — a 1.2-million-pound behemoth that's currently on what might be its last grand tour across the United States. Its first-ever coast-to-coast trek is wrapping up soon, with Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 chugging its way through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming before July calls it quits.
Because apparently, celebrating the nation's 250th birthday requires a train so massive it needs hinged frames just to navigate a curve. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying.
The Iron Giant's Epic Journey
If you can't make it trackside to witness this mechanical marvel in person (and let's be honest, standing in 102-degree heat for a train is a commitment), you can track its progress online. Union Pacific offers a live tracker that maps its journey, helpfully marking its expected route in yellow. Just know that "expected" is the operative word here; a train this big does what it wants.
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Start Your News DetoxThe tour kicked off on March 29th from Cheyenne, Wyoming, as part of the country's quarter-millennium celebrations. Big Boy and a fleet of other historic passenger cars have since traversed the nation, stopping everywhere from Utah to New York. It even celebrated the Fourth of July in Philadelphia, the birthplace of independence, drawing thousands of fans despite temperatures that could melt asphalt.
One devoted fan, likely wiping sweat from their brow, told NBC 10 that "This country was built on things like this. And I think it’s fantastic to see things like this. It’s been restored.” Hard to argue with that when you're looking at 133 feet of restored American history.
A Locomotive Legend
Big Boy No. 4014 isn't just big; it's the largest operating steam locomotive on Earth. Of the 25 originally ordered by Union Pacific in 1941 to haul heavy wartime equipment, only eight remain. And only this one is still running. Let that satisfying number sink in.
Its unique 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement means it has four guiding wheels, eight drivers on the first engine, another eight drivers on the second, and four more supporting the rear. All that to say, it's built to move.
Back in its heyday, Big Boys typically ran a 430-mile route between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. No. 4014 was officially retired in December 1961, but not before logging a staggering 1,031,205 miles. Which, for a machine of its vintage, is less a retirement and more a very long, very well-deserved nap. Until now, of course.
