Historic Locomotive Passes Through Chicago Area

BUTLER, WI — The world's largest steam locomotive began its trip through through the Chicago area Friday morning to mark the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

The only operating Big Boy steam locomotive in the world, it is touring Union Pacific rails in northern Illinois this weekend as part of the Midwest portion of its nationwide tour, traveling from Wisconsin through the Chicago area Friday.

Big Boy train No. 4014 departed Butler, Wisconsin, shortly after 8 a.m. Friday. It is due in West Chicago at 1:30 p.m.

The scheduled route heads through Lake County through Wadsworth, Park City, Lake Forest and Highland Park. It will then head through Northbrook, Glenview and Des Plaines before heading west into DuPage County, through Elmhurst and Wheaton.

Back in the 1940s, the railroad had 25 Big Boys built to be strong enough to handle the steep inclines on tracks between Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Ogden, Utah. Eight still exist, but only one is functional. Union Pacific staff have meticulously restored the train over the course of more than two years, according to the company.

Earlier this year, the Big Boy and another historic steam locomotive, the Living Legend No. 844, met nose to nose and recreated the iconic May 10, 1869, photograph taken at Promontory Summit after the final spike was tapped into place to complete the nation's first transcontinental railroad.

"The transcontinental railroad forever changed our country, uniting the nation and igniting economic growth that is still evident today," said Scott Moore, chief administrative officer for Union Pacific, announcing the tour. "There's no bigger way to honor this milestone than bringing the Big Boy back to life and giving people an opportunity to share this historic moment."

Union Pacific reminded everyone interested in seeing the train to stay back at least 25 feet from the railroad tracks and to always expect a train. The railroad asked residents to remember that tracks, yards and rights-of-way are private property.

Track the locomotive's location in real time with a live map from Union Pacific, and follow along with live updates from @UP_Steam on Twitter.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and Monday, the train will be on display at the Larry S. Provo Training Center, 335 Spencer St., in West Chicago. It departs Tuesday at 8 a.m and heads to Rochelle before travelling to Iowa.

More information from Union Pacific