More Texas whistle stops announced in September and October for Union Pacific's "Big Boy" steam locomotive
August 18, 2024 - TRA Newswire -
Union Pacific's "Heartland of America Tour" that starts August 28 in Cheyenne, Wyoming will see its legendary steam locomotive Big Boy No. 4014 whistle its way through towns and cities in Texas with additional short whistle stops and some overnight servicing stays. The overnight stops may not be adjacent to nearby public property for viewing.
This is the second tour of the giant steam locomotive this year. Big Boy will steam through a total of 10 states including Texas abd nearby Arkansas and Oklahoma this late summer and fall. The eight-week tour concludes in late October. In all No. 4014 will have visited 14 states in 2024, with the first tour from Wyoming to California earlier this year.
The schedule through Texas has changed from the original news release several months ago. There will be a chance for the public to view the steam engine in Houston, on Sunday October 6 and at Fort Worth on Friday October 11 and Saturday October 12. Admission to the Houston and Forth Worth events are free and open to the public. The steam locomotive will pause for a brief period in many other Texas towns and cities on the Union Pacific railroad network for the public to view at a distance.
Big Boy is the world's largest operating steam locomotive. Twenty-five were built during World War II, but only eight survived. No. 4014 is the only one still in operation with others scattered around railroad museums in static displays, including at the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco, Texas. Big Boy weighs 1.2 million pounds.
A number of whistle (short) stops have been added to the schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 17 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Texarkana, Ark. (9:00 a.m. departure) to Dallas, Texas | ||
| Big Sandy, Texas Pearl St. Crossing | Arrival Depart | 1:00 p.m. CT 1:45 p.m. CT |
| Wednesday, Sept. 18 | ||
| Dallas, Texas | Private Union Pacific Event NO PUBLIC ACCESS | |
| Thursday, Sept. 19 | ||
| Dallas, Texas (9:00 a.m. departure) to Hearne, Texas | ||
| Mexia, Texas East Commerce St. Crossing | Arrival Depart | 12:45 p.m. CT 1:15 p.m. CT |
| Friday, Sept. 20 – Thursday, Oct. 3 | ||
| Locomotive Maintenance NO PUBLIC ACCESS | ||
| Friday, Oct. 4 | ||
| Hearne, Texas (9:00 a.m. departure) to Houston, Texas | ||
| Navasota, Texas E. McAlpine St. Crossing | Arrival Depart | 11:00 a.m. CT 11:30 a.m. CT |
| Hempstead, Texas Wilkins St. Crossing | Arrival Depart | 12:15 p.m. CT 12:45 p.m. CT |
| Saturday, Oct. 5 | ||
| Houston, Texas | Private Union Pacific Employee Event NO PUBLIC ACCESS Employee Event Information | |
| Sunday, Oct. 6 | ||
| Houston, Texas Houston Amtrak 902 Washington Ave. | On Display: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CT Admission to see the Big Boy is Free and Open to the Public. | |
| Monday, Oct. 7 | ||
| Houston, Texas (9:00 a.m. departure) to Bryan, Texas | ||
| Spring, Texas Elm Street Crossing | Arrival Depart | 11:00 a.m. CT 11:30 a.m. CT |
| Navasota, Texas E. McAlpine St. Crossing | Arrival Depart | 1:30 p.m. CT 2:00 p.m. CT |
| Tuesday, Oct. 8 | ||
| Bryan, Texas Wellborn Road and F & B Road Crossing | Viewing Only | |
| Wednesday, Oct. 9 | ||
| Bryan, Texas (9:00 a.m. departure) to Fort Worth, Texas | ||
| Marlin, Texas Wood St. Crossing | Arrival Depart | 11:45 a.m. CT 12:15 p.m. CT |
| West, Texas Broadway St. Crossing | Arrival Depart | 1:45 p.m. CT 2:15 p.m. CT |
| Thursday, Oct. 10 | ||
| Fort Worth, Texas 275 W. Lancaster Ave. | On Display: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CT Admission to see the Big Boy is Free and Open to the Public. | |
| Friday, Oct. 11 | ||
| Fort Worth, Texas 275 W. Lancaster Ave. | On Display: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT Admission to see the Big Boy is Free and Open to the Public. | |
| Saturday, Oct. 12 | ||
| Fort Worth, Texas | Private Union Pacific Employee Event NO PUBLIC ACCESS Employee Event Information | |
| Sunday, Oct. 13 | ||
| Fort Worth, Texas (8:00 a.m. departure) to McAlester, Okla. | ||
Union Pacific reminds all rail fans to keep safety in mind and stay 25 feet back from the tracks when taking a picture or viewing this mammoth workhorse. The railroad warns against taking a picture or video on tracks or on the ballast and climbing on the locomotive or any of the other cars can be a safety issue. Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive - ALWAYS expect a train.
Union Pacific indicates that locations where the Big Boy stops overnight are closed to the public due to safety and security reasons, unless otherwise noted on the schedule. Non-employees who access these locations without permission will be treated as trespassers. Afternoon arrival times are not available.
There will be a steam tracking map that shows Big Boy's location and route and it will be available at http://www.up.com/up/heritage/steam/index.htm.
Photo/map credit: Union Pacific