Union Pacific
OMAHA, Neb. — The Big Boy No. 4014 is headed back out on the Union Pacific system beginning July 8 for a tour, taking it through Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Called the Great Race Across the Midwest, the tour will include displays at the following locations:
• July 13-14: Omaha, Neb. (paid admission required through Railroad Days)
• July 18: St. Paul, Minn.
• July 20: Duluth, Minn.
• July 23: Altoona, Wis.
• July 27-29: Chicago, Ill.
• Aug. 1: Des Moines, Iowa
• Aug. 3: Omaha, Neb.
• Aug. 6: North Platte, Neb.
More information is available online.
— A Union Pacific news release.
Come to Houston and run the old MKT route
Can the Big Boy run on its own, somehow every time I see it, it appears to have a diesel pushing it along?
When will 4014 get to the UP’s South end (ex MP lines) in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, & Oklahoma. Would lone to see it on the flat lands outside of Houston or climbing the Huey P. Long bridge outside of New Orleans.
Wondering if Blair Kooistra is planning to take any Big Boy photos? I have seen his photographic record of the Milwaukee Road’s departure from the Pacific Northwest, as published in TRAINS, used in college photography classes as an example of outstanding storytelling.
Road trip!
Well Blair, we cant let the facts get in the way of a good PR headline can we now? Just like I never understood the “Great Race to Promontory” that has been thrown at us the last year or so. It really was not a “race” since the Government, because of the railroads grading right past each other in an effort to gain more land, selected Promontory as the meeting place. But again, don’t let the facts get in the way of a good PR story.
I grew up in Wisconsin and know the area well. I am also on vacation that whole week from Big Yellow, and I must admit I have no desire to be anywhere near the rails the whole week. Call it my silent protest of the layoffs and cost cutting going on in the interest of PSR but somehow still having money to for this.
Have at it kids. Mine will be one less vehicle to worry about.
More on the subject….While there are those who undoubtedly know these areas better, in tracking 4014, one spot in central Wisc. called “Wyeville” (should have been X-ville, since 2 C&NW lines converged there and various “400’s” met) would be interesting. Then Eastbound, highway 21 parallels what is basically tangent single track to Necedah, and may still have its wire line and block signals. Further East, the stretch between Oxford and Glen Oak along county highway D has impressive bridges and fill, showing the Northwestern’s interest in a new high-speed line, probably to compete with the Milwaukee’s re-alignment in the early 20th century.
Additions/corrections welcomed.
Those in the Milwaukee area will surely know the route through town over the old C&NW from the “Adams cutoff” to Butler yard and beyond down the freight line to the Techney cutoff and Proviso. Many good photo ops. It would be good for those in the know to add detail.
4014 will no doubt utilize ex-C&NW trackage exclusively in Wisc. Friesland is Northwest of Beaver Dam down the line from Oxford and Glen Oak. Rugby Jct/Richfield is north on highway 164 from an overpass, one of many southward: Silver Spring, Hampton, Capitol Dr, etc. The tracks at Rugby Jct are ex-Soo Line and Milw. Rd.
Curtis, in regards to Big Boy, from friesland Wi to Butler Wi, do you know what track they will use?
I live less then a 1/2 mile from Rugby Junction in Richfield, Wi
I would really love to see and hear this train blow it steam whistle.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you Curtis Larson
good and what Ed told me they leave on the 10th and overnight in North Platte and arrive in Omaha on the 11th. Big Boy will be going through Milwaukee on the 26th with arrival at Proviso on the 27th then it is back to Omaha for servicing which the steams head to Cheyenne.
Not much of a race for as long as it’s taking to make this trip. Moving about as well as an empty bulkhead flat.
Those waiting at Altoona, PA will have a long wait.
Let the foaming continue!
Don Oltmann,
Why would they need comp time? They’re getting paid for that trip.
That’s a long trip for the steam crew. I hope they get some decent comp time for their efforts.
West Chicago, about 30 miles west of Chicago, not Chicago.
A dream come true. Could one wish for a ticket to Ride. But regardless, what a treat.