In the coming fall, one of the world’s largest trains will be making its way through Colorado as part of its second-ever tour. The Union Pacific Railroad announced that the tour will feature Big Boy No. 4014, which is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. Weighing in at a massive 1.1 million pounds, this train is sure to be a sight to behold as it travels across the country.
The history of Big Boys dates back to when there were 25 trains that were 132 feet long and originally weighed 1.2 million pounds. Today, all but one are out of service or on display. Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in 1941 and retired after 20 years of service, having traveled over a million miles. After a multi-year restoration process, the train started operating again in 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion.
The “Heartland of America Tour” will begin in Wyoming in late August and pass through nine states, including Colorado. The train will also travel through Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas, with scheduled stops for display in Illinois and Texas. In Colorado, the train will only make quick stops known as “whistle stops” as part of its eight-week tour. Specific stops and times will be announced closer to the tour dates. This is an exciting opportunity for rail enthusiasts and anyone interested in seeing one of the world’s largest trains up close and personal.
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