This fall, one of the world’s largest trains will be passing through Colorado as part of its second-ever tour. The train weighs 1.1 million pounds and is set to travel across the country, with Colorado being one of the states on its route.
The history of Big Boys dates back to when there were 25 trains that were 132 feet long and originally weighed 1.2 million pounds. Today, all but one are out of service or on display. Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in 1941 and retired after 20 years of service, having traveled over a million miles. After a multi-year restoration process, the train started operating again in 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion.
As part of the “Heartland of America Tour,” Big Boy No. 4014 will make quick stops in Colorado known as “whistle stops” as part of its eight-week tour through nine states including Colorado, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas with scheduled stops for display in Illinois and Texas.
