By SALINA POST
After a highly successful tour in 2019, the Union Pacific's Big Boy steam locomotive is scheduled to roll through Salina once again.
Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014, will embark on "The Big Boy 2021 Tour" Aug. 5 to celebrate railroad heritage and the communities Union Pacific serves, the company noted on its website.
This is the first tour since the locomotive was restored for 2019's Great Race tours celebrating the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. The multi-year restoration took place at Union Pacific’s steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyo., following a retirement that spanned six decades.
"Weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, the Big Boy makes a big impression in communities it visits, reminding us of bygone days and the important role the railroad continues to play in our global economy," said Scott Moore, Union Pacific senior vice president – corporate relations and chief administrative officer. "This summer, we are proud to announce that the Big Boy will be back to tour through 10 of the states and hundreds of the communities which Union Pacific serves."
No. 4014 will leave the Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyo., Aug. 5, making brief whistle-stops in communities across Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming, Union Pacific noted on its website. The locomotive will be on display in the following cities, according to Union Pacific.
Aug. 14: Fort Worth, Texas
Aug. 17: Houston, Texas
Aug. 21: New Orleans, Louisiana
Aug. 29: St. Louis, Missouri
Sept. 6: Denver, Colorado
No. 4014 will return to Cheyenne following the Denver stop. A complete list of overnight and whistle stops will be released later at upsteam.com. Fans interested in getting the latest news regarding Union Pacific’s steam program and notifications of schedule updates can join the Union Pacific Steam Club at up.com/SteamClub.
Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific, the first of which was delivered in 1941 to handle the steep terrain between Cheyenne and Ogden. Of the eight still in existence, No. 4014 is the world's only operating Big Boy. The other seven are on display in Cheyenne, Wyo., Denver, Frisco, Texas, Green Bay, Wis., Omaha, Neb., Scranton, Penn., and St. Louis.
The 2019 tour
Big Boy rolled into Salina on a brisk Nov. 20, 2019, afternoon to the delight of more than 1,000 people gathered near the old depot at the intersection with N. 12th Street.
The huge crowd included school children, parents and grandparents with children, retired railroad workers, veterans, and seemingly persons from all walks of life. Some had traveled from other parts of the state to see the might steam engine.
One railroader looked around at the crowd and laughed as he told of his boss saying that only 10 people would show up to see Big Boy.
As the historic locomotive No. 4014 neared the N. 12th Street railroad crossing, Big Boy blew its thunderous horn and shook the ground and anyone standing nearby.
If you missed seeing Big Boy when it was here in 2019, you most likely will get another chance later this year. Until then, here's a video of Big Boy's arrival in Salina in 2019: