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Big Boy is still drawing big crowds as the world's largest operating steam locomotive begins its homeward run to cap its first-ever coast-to-coast journey.
Formally known as #4014, the Union Pacific locomotive has attracted huge crowds as it steamed from Wyoming west to California, and then east across the Mississippi River to Chicago, Philadelphia and St. Louis. Its next major stop is Kansas City, Missouri, where it pauses until July 23 before resuming its trip back to its home in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The train made a long stop in Scranton, Pennsylvania, at the end of June, drawing an estimated 111,000 sightseers in about two weeks, city officials said, and generating more than $16 million in economic impact.
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Delivered to Union Pacific in 1941, the locomotive was among 25 built to haul wartime freight across the Continental Divide in Wyoming and Utah. Big Boy is the last one running, and in the 1960s was converted to burn oil instead of coal.
“Union Pacific couldn’t be prouder to share this powerful piece of history with the nation and to be a part of America’s birthday celebration,” Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said in a statement. “This tour celebrates our company’s rich 164-year history, our nation’s amazing story and the people who have helped build our great country and our railroad.”
By the end of the trip, Big Boy will have traveled about 7,000 miles across 14 states. People still hoping to catch sight of the train can plan their viewing on the Union Pacific tracking website UPsteam.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See Big Boy's coast-to-coast journey in videos and photos
