Editor’s note: On Thursday, July 25, Sharon Moore, whose husband, Patrick, works for the railroad, notified thecity1.com there is no access in Clinton, IA, to approach locomotive No. 4014. Apparently this is merely a rest stop for the crew, and the public will not be able to get close to see the engine. Watch for it in Morrison.
Chief of Police Brian Melton stated, “The safest place to gather to watch the train is the E. Market Street parking lot. It would also give people the longest view of the engine.” Union Pacific Rail Road cautions spectators to stay at least 25′ away from the tracks. Do not let children attend this quick event without supervision.
Railroad enthusiasts should reserve Tuesday morning, July 30, 2019, for a unique experience. You can see a gigantic steam locomotive, No. 4014, roar through Morrison, IL, heading west at track speed. It has not been in service for 70 years.
This summer the Union Pacific’s historic Big Boy steam locomotive No. 4014 began touring the Union Pacific rail system, to commemorate the transcontinental railroad’s sesquicentennial anniversary. The trek is called “The Great Race Across the Midwest,” but this is not a competition with other engines.
The window of time see the engine travel through Morrison is between 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. The schedule for Tuesday, July 30, follows.
- 8:00 a.m. departure from West Chicago
- 9:45 a.m. arrival at Rochelle, IL, Rochelle Railroad Park; departure at 10:30
- passage through Morrison
- 12:45 p.m. arrival in Clinton.
Due to the dynamic nature of these operations, running times and scheduled stops are subject to change. The most accurate steam schedule information always will be located on this page: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm.
On Monday, July 8, at 8:00 a.m., the engine departed Cheyenne, WY, Union Pacific Steam Shop. It will return on Thursday, August 8, at 11:15 a.m. A dedicated “Steam Team” crew rides together across the Country, operating the locomotive. The engine burns fuel oil.
Big Boy’s return to the rails is the product of more than two years of meticulous restoration work by the Union Pacific Steam Team. No. 4014 is the world’s only operating Big Boy locomotive.
