Union Pacific’s ‘Big Boy’ to steam through Kansas City this fall
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In October, Kansas Citians will have the opportunity to see up-close and in person the world’s largest steam locomotive.
Union Pacific’s ‘Big Boy’ No. 4014 is taking its second trip this year with stops in 10 different states over the course of its eight-week “Heartland of America” tour.
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Starting on Thursday, Aug. 29, Big Boy will make its first appearance in Cheyenne, Wyo. before moving on to Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.
Here are all the stops the train is expected to make in Kansas and Missouri:
Tuesday, Oct. 15
9 a.m. departure — Coffeyville, Kan. to Kansas City, Mo.
2:15 p.m. arrival; 2:45 p.m. departure — Osawatomie, Kan. (West Pacific Avenue Crossing)
6:45 p.m. arrival — Kansas City, Mo. (Union Station – 30 W. Pershing Road)
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Viewing only — Kansas City, Mo. (Union Station – 30 W. Pershing Road)
Thursday, Oct. 17
9 a.m. departure — Kansas City, Mo. to Salina Kan.
12:15 p.m. arrival; 12:45 departure — Topeka, Kan. (Great Overland Station – 701 N. Kansas Avenue)
Friday, Oct. 18
Viewing only — Salina Kan. (Salina Depot – 400 N. 13th Street)
Saturday, Oct. 19
9 a.m. departure — Salina Kan. to Hays, Kan.
11 a.m. arrival; 11:30 a.m. departure — Wilson Kan. (Avenue East Crossing)
Sunday, Oct. 20
9 a.m. departure — Hays, Kan. to Sharon Springs, Kan.
Noon arrival; 12:30 p.m. departure — Grainfield, Kan. (Main Street Crossing)
Monday, Oct. 21
9 a.m. departure — Sharon Springs, Kan. to Denver, Colo.
Although train rides are not usually open to the public, from Monday, Aug. 12 through Monday, Aug. 19., the Union Pacific Railroad Museum will auction off four cab rides, with all proceeds going toward the museum and the Union Pacific Friend-to-Friend Network — a program made to help railroad families in need.
Prior to the “Heartland of America Tour,” Big Boy traveled across the western part of the U.S., visiting five states in its “Westward Bound Tour.” By the end of its latest tour, which is scheduled to wrap in October, the train will have made its way to 14 states.
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Big Boy is one of 25 steam locomotives built during World War II. However, only eight survived and Big Boy is the only train in operation today.
If you plan to see the historic locomotive, Union Pacific reminds all fans to stay 25 feet away from the tracks when taking pictures and never to stand on the tracks, the ballast or the locomotive equipment.
For a tracking map of No. 4014’s location, click here or go to upsteam.com for the locomotive’s latest route.
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