Union Pacific slates Big Boy steam locomotive's fall tour

Union Pacific Railroad's Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive will embark on a second tour this year, with a fall trip through middle America, including Chicago and Houston.

The “Heartland of America Tour” will start Aug. 29 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and include nine additional states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. The eight-week tour will conclude in late October, according to a UP news release.

Big Boy will make several whistle-stops in communities along its route and hold display days for the public and UP employees: Sept. 8 in Rochelle, Illinois; Oct. 6 in Houston; and Oct. 10-11 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Additional route details and approximate times for whistle-stops will be shared closer to the tour.

In all, Big Boy No. 4014 is expected to visit 14 states in 2024, including five during its summer tour.

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 in operation, according to UP. A steam tracking map showing No. 4014's location and route will be available at upsteam.com.