Famed steam locomotive embarks on June tour from Wyoming to Nebraska
OMAHA,
Neb., May 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Union
Pacific's famed Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest steam
locomotive, returns to the rails on June
7 for its Home Run Express Tour to Omaha, Nebraska, where it will be on display
for 11 days during the college baseball championship.
The 1.1 million pound locomotive that was built to haul heavy
freight during World War II can be viewed at Home Plate next to
Charles Schwab Field in Omaha from
June 15-25, with numerous
whistle-stops planned along its journey from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to the ballpark.
"The Big Boy is a special piece of Union Pacific's history that
played a vital role in helping carry the nation through World War
II, and reminds us of rail's continued role in the U.S. economy,"
said Scott Moore, senior vice
president – Corporate Relations and Chief Administrative Officer.
"We are delighted to provide rail enthusiasts and baseball fans
alike the opportunity to bask in the glory of two distinctly
American passions, experiencing the rich history of rail and the
thrill of a baseball game."
Baseball shares a deep connection with railroads, dating back to
the late 1800s. As the sport grew, players and fans relied upon
rail to travel long distances for games. By 1876, game times were
being scheduled to coincide with train schedules.
Big Boy will leave Cheyenne,
Wyoming, on June 7, en route
to Omaha. It will make numerous
whistle-stops in Wyoming and
Nebraska before returning to its
home base in Cheyenne on
July 3. During its Omaha display, the public will be allowed to
see the locomotive up close between June
15-21 and June 24-25 from
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Scheduled whistle-stops and public displays:
- June 7 – Albin and LaGrange,
Wyoming, overnight in Gering,
Nebraska.
- June 8 – Broadwater and Lemoyne, Nebraska, overnight in North Platte
- June 9 – North Platte layover
- June 10 – Cozad, Kearney and Grand
Island
- June 11 – Columbus and Fremont
- June 15-21 – Omaha, public display
- June 24-25 – Omaha, public display
- June 29 – Fremont, Columbus and Grand
Island
- June 30 – Overton and Gothenburg, overnight in North Platte
- July 1 – North Platte layover
- July 2 – Ogallala and Chappell, overnight in Sidney
- July 3 – Kimball, Nebraska and Pine Bluffs, Wyoming
Twenty-five Big Boy locomotives were built for Union Pacific to
haul freight over the steep grade of the Wasatch Mountain Range in
Utah during World War II. Eight
were preserved after the locomotive was retired six decades ago,
but only Big Boy No. 4014 is still in operation.
The locomotive was restored for 2019's "Great Race" tours to
celebrate the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad's
completion. In 2021, Big Boy brought out more than 1 million people
to see the engine as it traveled through 10 southern and midwestern
states, including Texas and
Louisiana, followed by a special
trip in 2022 to Union Station in Denver,
Colorado, as part of Cheyenne's Frontier Days.
A steam tracking map showing No. 4014's location and route will
be available at upsteam.com.
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and
businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service.
Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers
and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most
environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union
Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union
Pacific is available at www.up.com.
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SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation