BIG BOY STEAM ENGINE - In honor of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The world's largest steam locomotive, a Union Pacific- Big Boy, will be making brief whistle-stops across East Texas and southwest Arkansas as part of “The Great Race Across the Southwest”.
Big Boy Engine number 4014 was one of 25 Big Boys steam locomotives built in 1941 exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad. They were designed to pull long, heavy loads through the mountains of Wyoming and Utah. The name Big Boy is an apt description at 132 feet long.. That would be the equivalent of a modern diesel train engine, a school bus and a car lined up bumper to bumper. Because of their length, Big Boys were "hinged," or articulated, to allow them to negotiate curves.
Of the eight still in existence, No. 40 14 is the world's only operating Big Boy. Saturday, November 9th, engine number 40 14 will travel from Bryan/College Station to Palestene, arriving at 2:00 pm. Sunday morning November 10th, the first stop will be the Patton St. crossing in Jacksonville at 9:15 am.
Whistle stops provide picture taking opportunities and a closer look at Big Boy 40 14. Other Sunday stops will include; Troup Overton, Longview,and Marshall, Texas Monday, Nov. 11, the Big Boy and a multi-media walk-through exhibition will be on display in Marshall from 9 am until 3:00 pm. Tuesday, Nov. 12 the route will include: Atlanta, Texarkana, Hope, Arkansas, Prescott As well as other cities on it’s way to Little Rock.
Everyone is encouraged to see this living legend as it passes through our area.
FOR TIMES & LOCATIONS CLICK LINK: BIG BOY SCHEDULE
