Big Boy No. 4014 Will Travel Through Lemont Friday On Its Coast-To-Coast Tour

LEMONT, IL — Big Boy No.4014, Union Pacific’s 1.2 million-pound steam locomotive, will make its way through Lemont on Friday. The locomotive has been drawing large crowds along railroad lines during its historic coast-to-coast tour this summer.

The world's largest operating steam locomotive has been on its tour to celebrate Ameria's 250th anniversary, according to Union Pacific. The locomotive traveled through the Chicago area last month on its way East, and has now found its way back to Illinois before it heads to Missouri and then West.

According to Big Boy's schedule, it will depart from South Holland at 9 a.m. on Friday, heading toward Dwight. Arrival time at Dwight is set for 1:15 p.m.

The locomotive will not make any stops on its travel to Dwight, but it will pass through Lemont on the Union Pacific line. Timing can shift slightly, so there is no exact time given for when the locomotive will make its way through Lemont, but some social media posts suggest that 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Friday may be a good window.

If you want to see Big Boy along public railroad tracks or at a public crossing, Union Pacific reminds viewers of several safety tips. You must stay back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks.

"Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are private property - do not tresspass," Union Pacific said.

Big Boy No. 4014 was retired in Dec. 1961 after traveling 1,031,205 miles, according to Union Pacific. It was one of 25 Big Boys commission for Union Pacific Railroad.

"These massive locomotives were built to haul heavy equipment in support of the war effort, normally operating between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Big Boys are 133 feet long and weigh 1.2 million pounds," Union Pacific's website shares.

There are seven other remaining Big Boys, which are on public display in several states throughout the U.S.