Where To See Big Boy 4014 Pass Through Friday Morning In Chicago Ridge

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL—If you missed seeing Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014 pass through the south suburbs last month, you’re in luck. The mighty locomotive will be steaming through Chicago Ridge Friday, July 17, on its historic coast-to-coast tour for America’s 250th birthday.

Big Boy won’t be stopping, but you can catch him at the rail crossings in Chicago Ridge on Central Avenue and 106th Street, just south of Richards High School, and at Ridgeland Avenue and 105th Street, by the Metra station.

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>>> Union Pacific's Mighty Big Boy No. 4014 Steam Locomotive Chugs Through South Suburbs

According to Big Boy’s schedule, he'll be chugging out of South Holland at 9 a.m. Friday, on his way to Dwight, IL. He’s expected to pass through Chicago Ridge between 9:15 and 9:45 a.m.

In June, Big Boy 4014 was a few hours late departing South Holland due to freight traffic, so be prepared for delays. You can track the hefty locomotive on the Union Pacific Rail’s Big Boy 4014 Tracker.

If you’re looking for a dramatic bridge shot, Big Boy will be crossing the Cal-Sag Channel in Blue Island. He can also be viewed from rail crossings in Bridgeview, Lemont and Elmhurst to Dwight, IL.

For those viewing Big Boy along public railroad tracks or at a public crossing, Union Pacific reminds people of several safety tips. You must stay back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks, unless you would like to get scalded by steam. Also, private rail property is off-limits.

“Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are private property—do not trespass,” Union Pacific said.

The mighty Big Boy 4014, the largest steam engine in the world, has been drawing record crowds on his coast-to-coast tour and is heading back home to Cheyenne, WY, where he’ll end his journey on July 29.

Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. These massive locomotives were built to haul heavy equipment supporting the war effort, normally operating between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Big Boys are 133 feet long and weigh 1.2 million pounds, according to the Union Pacific website.

Here's the rest of Big Boy's Illinois schedule for July 17-July 18: