UP's Big Boy rolls into Salina to the delight of throngs of onlookers

<b>Union Pacific's Big Boy thundered into Salina from the east this evening to the accompaniment of thundering storm clouds rolling in from the west.</b> Salina Post photo — **Union Pacific's Big Boy thundered into Salina from the east this evening to the accompaniment of thundering storm clouds rolling in from the west.** Salina Post photo

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post

Despite the potential for threatening weather, hundreds of people turned out along the tracks in north Salina to catch a glimpse of Union Pacific's Big Boy this evening.

The world's largest steam locomotive rolled into Salina a tad bit late, just as the darkening clouds began to sprinkle. That, however, did not dissuade young and old who were gathered along the tracks for as far as the eye could see. They had come from all over the area and they were determined to see No. 4014.

<b>Big Boy rolls across the N. 12th Street crossing toward its overnight stop near the old depot. </b>Salina Post photo — **Big Boy rolls across the N. 12th Street crossing toward its overnight stop near the old depot.** Salina Post photo

For some, this was their first time to see the giant locomotive. Others, however, were there for an encore, having attended Big Boy's visit to Salina in 2019.

Big Boy is scheduled for an overnight stop in Salina near the old Union Pacific depot. The Union Pacific crew will fire up the locomotive Friday morning for a 9 a.m. schedule departure.

<b>Big Boy's crew prepares it for its overnight stop in Salina.</b> Photo by Eagle Radio's Craig Hubbard for Salina Post — **Big Boy's crew prepares it for its overnight stop in Salina.** Photo by Eagle Radio's Craig Hubbard for Salina Post

Big Boy is scheduled to stop in Ellsworth at the Lincoln Avenue crossing from 10:15-10:35 a.m. Friday and in Wilson at the Avenue E crossing from 11:20 a.m.-12:05 p.m.

The locomotive began The Big Boy 2021 Tour on Aug. 5 in Cheyenne, Wyo., to celebrate railroad heritage and the communities Union Pacific serves, the company noted on its website. The tour is scheduled to conclude in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Tuesday.