Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 steam engine arrives July 30, 2019, in Wheatland on its trip across Iowa. The largest steam locomotive ever built is scheduled to once again cross Eastern Iowa on Sept. 5-6. (The Gazette)
Rail fans will be able to see the Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 — the largest steam engine ever built — as it chugs Sept. 5 and 6 through Eastern Iowa.
The engine’s eight-week Heartland of America Tour leaves Cheyenne, Wyo., on Aug. 28 and will travel through nine other states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.
Union Pacific said the dates and times for the engine’s tour are subject to change.
But, for now, the engine is scheduled to leave Boone at 9 a.m. Sept. 5 and arrive at Belle Plaine about 12:15 p.m. that day, departing the Benton County city at 12:30 p.m. at the Ninth Avenue crossing.
It presumably will spend the night in Cedar Rapids, though access is closed. It’s scheduled to depart Cedar Rapids en route to Rochelle, Ill., at 9 a.m. Sept. 6.
The engine last went through Eastern Iowa in July 2019 as part of the commemoration of the Transcontinental Railroad’s 150th anniversary.
The engine’s itinerary will be updated on up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm.
www.thegazette.com
Rail fans will be able to see the Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 — the largest steam engine ever built — as it chugs Sept. 5 and 6 through Eastern Iowa.
The engine’s eight-week Heartland of America Tour leaves Cheyenne, Wyo., on Aug. 28 and will travel through nine other states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.
Union Pacific said the dates and times for the engine’s tour are subject to change.
But, for now, the engine is scheduled to leave Boone at 9 a.m. Sept. 5 and arrive at Belle Plaine about 12:15 p.m. that day, departing the Benton County city at 12:30 p.m. at the Ninth Avenue crossing.
It presumably will spend the night in Cedar Rapids, though access is closed. It’s scheduled to depart Cedar Rapids en route to Rochelle, Ill., at 9 a.m. Sept. 6.
The engine last went through Eastern Iowa in July 2019 as part of the commemoration of the Transcontinental Railroad’s 150th anniversary.
The engine’s itinerary will be updated on up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm.
Largest-ever steam engine to roll through Eastern Iowa
Union Pacific’s Big Boy due in Belle Plaine and Cedar Rapids after Labor Day.
www.thegazette.com
