ST. LOUIS – Big Boy No. 4014, one of the most iconic steam engines in the United States, has arrived to St. Louis in grand style.
The locomotive is making its “Heartland of America” tour across ten states through October, including Missouri and Illinois.
Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operational steam locomotive and one of Union Pacific’s original engines. The locomotive rode the rails for 20 years from 1941 to 1961, clocking more than one million miles. It was retired for nearly six decades before a lengthy restoration process at Union Pacific’s steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Big Boy officially arrived to St. Louis’ AMTRAK station late Tuesday evening with some locals hearing its whistle from Busch Stadium and Soulard. Union Pacific held a private event Wednesday to let employees see the train up close near Union Station.
According to Big Boy’s tour schedule, it is expected to depart St. Louis around 8:30 a.m. Thursday with daytime stops planned in De Soto and Arcadia. If you can’t see it in St. Louis, you may have a chance to get a peek at Big Boy during its next two stops.
This the locomotive’s schedule for Thursday:
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Thursday, Sept. 12
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St. Louis, MO 8:30 a.m. departure to Poplar Bluff, MO.
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De Soto, MO at Commercial Street Crossing.
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Arcadia – Ironton, MO at Arcadia Valley Amtrack Station at 13700 MO-21.
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Poplar Bluff – Final destination for Thursday. Time TBD.
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For a closer look at the Big Boy’s tour schedule, CLICK HERE.
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