The world’s largest operating steam locomotive the “Big Boy” will stay the night in North Little Rock on Sunday, September 15 with public viewing from 5p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Union Pacific Railroad Company at 1000 W. 4th St. North Little Rock, AR.
The Big Boy No. 4014 will depart on the “Heartland of America Tour” on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and travel across nine additional states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.
Keep Safety Top of Mind
- Stay back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks. This includes drones.
- Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are private property – do not trespass.
- Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive – ALWAYS expect a train.
- Be a safe and considerate driver – do not pace the train.
The Big Boy Locomotives
Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. The locomotives were 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds. Because of their great length, the frames of the Big Boys were “hinged,” or articulated, to allow them to negotiate curves. They had a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, which meant they had four wheels on the leading set of “pilot” wheels which guided the engine, eight drivers, another set of eight drivers, and four wheels following which supported the rear of the locomotive. The massive engines normally operated between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyo.
Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941. The locomotive was retired in December 1961, having traveled 1,031,205 miles in its 20 years in service. Union Pacific reacquired No. 4014 from the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, California, in 2013, and relocated it back to Cheyenne to begin a multi-year restoration process. It returned to service in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s Completion.