FORT WORTH, Texas — A 1.2-million-pound "Big Boy" locomotive returned Thursday to Fort Worth, delighting railfans who traveled from across the state to see the 83-year-old relic.
The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is the world's largest operating steam locomotive. It will remain in Cowtown until Sunday, though it will not be on public display after Friday afternoon.
Visitors can see the train stopped at 275 W. Lancaster, near T&P Station, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11.
Admission is free. Hundreds of people visited the train during Thursday's six-hour public viewing period.
"It's the history," said Steve Menchaca, a Thursday visitor who says he grew up adoring trains. "There's not a lot of running steam locomotives. When you're able to see one up close and still functioning, especially with the Union Pacific steam program, it's just a trip back in time."
The Fort Worth whistle-stop is the public's last opportunity to see the train up close. There is no other display stop scheduled for the remainder of Big Boy's eight-week "Heartland of America Tour."
The train previously passed through Dallas in September, stopping only for a private event.
It will be possible to see the train, in motion, on its journey back to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Big Boy is scheduled to depart for Oklahoma on Sunday at 8 a.m.
So, what's the big deal with Big Boy?
Not only is it the biggest steam locomotive in operation, it's one of just eight still in existence. The American Locomotive Company built just 25 Big Boy models for Union Pacific during World War II.
Big Boy No. 4014 is a 132-foot-long, 1.2-million-pound locomotive with a water capacity of 25,000 gallons. It was in service for Union Pacific from 1941 to 1961, traveling more than a million miles.
Union Pacific re-acquired No. 4014 from the RailGiants Museum in California in 2013 and restored the train to operation in 2019.