Union Pacific Railroad's Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, is touring the U.S. The tour celebrates America's 250th birthday. The train traveled east from Wyoming to Philadelphia for the July 4th weekend.
A Grand Sight
On a very hot day, dozens of people gathered at Valley Forge National Historical Park. They waited by the tracks to see the train. Many brought chairs and coolers. John Seibert, from a model railroad club, called it a "once-in-a-lifetime experience."
People used their smartphones to track the train's progress. The whistle could be heard from miles away. Then, headlights appeared in the distance. The Big Boy, 133 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, roared past. Its bells rang and whistle blared.
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Start Your News DetoxSeibert said it was "pretty amazing." He noted the whistle "kind of went right through you."
Days later, the engine 4014 and its 18-car train parked at Philadelphia's Navy Yard. Crowds could see it up close. Fifteen-year-old Brandon Westerfield from New Jersey came with his mother. He called it "huge" and "so cool to see something that big right in front of you." His mother, Althea, was also impressed, saying, "this is absolutely incredible."
The Train's History and Its Engineer
Union Pacific ordered twenty-five Big Boy locomotives between 1941 and 1944. They were used to haul freight through the Wasatch Mountains in Utah and Wyoming. These engines had a special design to handle curves and two sets of pistons. The last Big Boy was retired in 1962, replaced by diesel engines.
Eight Big Boys were saved, but only number 4014 is still running. Ed Dickens, senior manager of Union Pacific's Heritage Operations, oversaw its restoration. He also serves as the train's engineer.
Dickens, often seen in overalls and a cap, operates the 7,000-horsepower engine. He noted that the train is "all manually operated, there's nothing automatic." Fans appreciate his friendly approach. Matt Zollers from Pennsylvania called him a "super ambassador" who takes time to talk to everyone.
Dickens finds joy in the crowds. He said, "seeing the happiness, seeing the crowds is something that's just spectacular for us." Nearly 100,000 people visited the Big Boy in Philadelphia over two days.
The Big Boy is now heading back to Wyoming. It will make stops in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. Dickens reminds people to stay safe. He advises, "Always 25 feet back." The train's whistle will also serve as a warning.
