FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – The world’s largest operating steam locomotive is staying in Fort Wayne Friday night as part of its coast-to-coast tour in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
Although no public access is planned, Big Boy will be staying in Fort Wayne overnight on Friday, June 5.
It is traveling to the Summit City from Argos, where a public stop is planned from 2:30 – 3 p.m. ET Friday. The train will then depart from Ironwood Road Crossing in Argos at 3 p.m. ET to chug along to Fort Wayne.
Union Pacific says a private Norfolk Southern employee event is planned for the Fort Wayne stay. The locomotive is set to depart from Fort Wayne at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday, June 6, for an Ohio visit.
You can track its progress and route to Fort Wayne here and see the full eastern leg schedule here.
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On July 16, Big Boy will again be in Fort Wayne, with a departure time set for 9 a.m. ET to head to Knox, Indiana, where public access is planned from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. CT. Again, there is no public viewing for the Fort Wayne stop.
The tour marks the first time the restored locomotive will be visiting Indiana and Ohio.
25 Big Boys were built for the Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. They weigh 1.2 million pounds and are 133 feet long.
The locomotive featured on this tour, Big Boy No. 4014, was retired in 1961 after traveling 1,031,205 miles, Union Pacific says. Of the eight remaining Big Boys, No. 4014 is the only one that is still operating.
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Several historical passenger cars from Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet, three Norfolk Southern historic business cars, and special commemorative locomotives from both Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific will accompany Big Boy:
“The tour pays homage to the vital role railroads have played in building America and honors the nation’s 250 years of growth, innovation, and unity,” Union Pacific says.
The tour kicked off on April 10 from Sacramento, California, where Central Pacific began construction on the nation’s first transcontinental railroad in 1863.
To learn more about the Big Boy tour and see safety reminders for public viewings, visit Union Pacific’s website.
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