Big Boy No. 4014 - Heartland of America Tour (in Texas) Information Page
Overview | About the Big Boys | Texas Route Schedule | Track Route | Crossings and Whistle Stops | Photography Tips || Photo Policy | Safety Tips | Track the Big Boy
Big Boy No. 4014 Crosses the Southern Tip of Joe Pool Lake near Britton Park in Mansfield, Texas (August 2021)
Overview
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the world's largest operating steam locomotive - Union Pacific's Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 - left its home base in Cheyenne, Wyoming for its Heartland of America Tour, which includes travel through ten states, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
This will be the Big Boy's third trip to the Lone Star State since 2019.
- 2019: the giant locomotive visited 32 cities and towns in Texas in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
- 2021: Big Boy toured the southwestern portion of the Union Pacific system as part of The Great Race Across the Southwest, passing through Sherman, Denton and Fort Worth, among other nearby North Texas cities. Many PPC members took advantage of the opportunity to capture spectacular images of this amazing relic of American railroad history.
- 2024: #4014 is spending nearly a month in the Lone Star State, including a two-week maintenance stop. And this time around there's a special opportunity for Dallas-area photographers... the Big Boy will be traveling into Dallas on Wednesday, September 18 and parking overnight (there will be no public access). The train will then leave Dallas on Thursday, September 19 to head south toward Houston. It will return to the area on October 9-13.
About the Big Boys
The Union Pacific Big Boy steam locomotives are iconic machines that represent the pinnacle of steam locomotive engineering in the United States. These massive locomotives were designed and built in the early 1940s to meet the Union Pacific Railroad's need for powerful engines capable of hauling heavy freight trains over the challenging terrain of the Wasatch Mountains and Sherman Hill.
If you are interested in the complete specs of these beasts, Union Pacific lists all of the details for you on Big Boy 4014's Heritage Page.
Historical Background
In 1941, the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) began producing the first of 25 Big Boy locomotives for Union Pacific. These articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotives were among the largest and most powerful ever built, weighing approximately 1.2 million pounds and measuring nearly half a football field in length.
The Big Boys were primarily used to haul freight between Ogden, Utah, and Green River, Wyoming, traversing steep mountain grades without the need for helper locomotives. Their impressive power and efficiency made them invaluable during World War II when the demand for transporting war materials was at its peak.
Despite their success, the advent of diesel-electric locomotives in the 1950s marked the beginning of the end for steam engines, including the Big Boys. By 1959, most Big Boys were retired from active service, with the last one being taken out of operation in 1962.
What Makes Big Boy No. 4014 Special?
Among the 25 Big Boys built, locomotive No. 4014 holds a special place in railroad history. Here's why it's considered such a remarkable machine:
- Restoration to operating condition: In 2013, Union Pacific reacquired Big Boy 4014 from the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California, where it had been on static display since 1962. The company then undertook an extensive restoration project to bring the locomotive back to operating condition.
- Successful restoration: After a five-year restoration process, Big Boy 4014 was successfully returned to service in 2019. This achievement marked the first time a Big Boy locomotive had operated under its own power in over 60 years.
- Living history: As the only operational Big Boy in existence, No. 4014 offers a unique opportunity for people to experience the power and grandeur of these legendary locomotives firsthand.
- Technological marvel: The restoration of Big Boy 4014 showcases the enduring engineering prowess of its original designers while incorporating modern safety features and environmental considerations.
- Ambassador for rail history: Since its restoration, Big Boy 4014 has embarked on tours across the United States, allowing thousands of people to witness this mechanical marvel in action and learn about the importance of railroads in American history.
The successful restoration and operation of Big Boy 4014 represent a significant achievement in preserving railroad heritage. It serves as a living testament to the ingenuity of American engineering during the steam era and continues to captivate the imagination of rail enthusiasts and the general public alike.
Informational Videos
Detailed Schedule For The Big Boy's Return to Texas
The chart at below right summarizes the train's schedule for Wednesday, October 9 - Sunday, October 13, when the train will be closest to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area on its northbound return trip through Texas. It includes whistle stops and display days from Bryan to Fort Worth to McAlester, Oklahoma.
Note: All schedule times and locations are subject to change.
Parking at overnight stops and display locations is limited. Please utilize available parking facilities surrounding these locations.
Full information about whistle and overnight stops for the entire route can be found on the official Union Pacific Steam Schedule.
Display Days
The three Texas display days on the tour are scheduled for:
- Saturday, October 6: Houston, Texas
- Thursday, October 10: Fort Worth, Texas
- Friday, October 11: Fort Worth, Texas
The Fort Worth stop will be the public's first chance to see the locomotive up close.
It'll be on display at the downtown Fort Worth train station at 275 West Lancaster from 9 AM to 3 PM on October 10 and 9 AM to 1 PM on October 11. Admission is free.
Whistle Stops
Whistle stops (which generally last around 30 minutes) in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma are as follows:
- Friday, October 4: Navasota and Hempstead, TX
- Monday, October 7: Spring and Navasota, TX
- Tuesday, October 8: Bryan, TX
- Wednesday, October 9: Marlin and West, TX
- Sunday, October 13: Durant, OK
- Monday, October 14: Muskogee and Claremore, OK
Track Route and Current Location
Click the map to track Big Boy No. 4014 during The Heartland of America Tour.
Detailed Information on Crossings, Whistle Stops, and Stopovers
October 13 (from Fort Worth) || Track the Big Boy (Live)
Sunday, October 13 - Fort Worth to McAlester
The table below expands upon the list provided by Union Pacific to include Google Maps links for scheduled whistle stops.
In addition, it identifies a large number of train crossings in intermediate locations between the whistle stops. No time information is available for those crossings.
The list is not intended to serve as a comprehensive summary of all towns, intersections, or locations where the Big Boy No. 4014 can be seen and/or photographed.
City / Town / Crossing / Whistle Stop / Notes
|
Approximate Distance From Prior Crossing |
Fort Worth, TX
Union Pacific Davidson Yard |
Depart |
8:00 AM CT |
Street View |
|
| Notes: This is the starting point for the day's travel. |
|
Fort Worth, TX
Forest Park Boulevard and Charlie Lane (Overpass) |
|
n/a |
Street View |
3.9 miles |
| Notes: The train will pass over Forest Park Boulevard as it heads north toward downtown Fort Worth. |
|
Fort Worth, TX
East 4th Street and West Live Oak Street (Overpass) |
|
n/a |
Street View |
3.0 miles |
| Notes: The train will pass over East 4th Street. The overpass is not very wide and there will be partial obstruction by trees on either side of the overpass. |
|
Fort Worth, TX
Northside Drive east of Samuels Avenue (Overpass) |
|
n/a |
Street View |
2.7 miles |
| Notes: The train will pass underneath Northside Drive; a wide angle photo from this location could include the Fort Worth skyline; there is a sidewalk. |
|
Fort Worth, TX
E Schwartz Avenue south of NE 33rd Street |
|
n/a |
Street View |
0.3 miles |
| Notes: Grade-level crossing is in a low-density residential neighborhood. |
|
Watauga, TX
US Highway 377 (Denton Highway) and Basswood Boulevard |
|
n/a |
Street View |
9.6 miles |
| Notes: This grade-crossing is located in a high density retail and industrial area. |
|
Roanoke, TX
Henrietta Creek Road and Benson Lane |
|
n/a |
Street View |
8.6 miles |
| Notes: This grade-crossing is located in a high-density retail and industrial area on the southwest corner of town. |
|
Marshall Creek, TX
US Highway 377 and Marshall Creek Road (Overpass) |
|
n/a |
Street View |
1.8 miles |
| Notes: Crossing is located in the west-central portion of the city; train will pass underneath Marshall Creek Road, providing a unique photo opportunity; there is a sidewalk on the south side of the road and a low-railing that provides an unobstructed view of the tracks below. |
|
Argyle, TX
US Highway 377 and Denton Street E. |
|
n/a |
Street View |
7.7 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in a low-density residential/retail area on the southwest corner of town. |
|
Denton, TX
E. Sycamore Street Crossing |
|
n/a
|
Street View |
7.5 miles |
Notes: Crossing is located on the eastern edge of downtown; there is a large grain elevator one block south (at Prairie Street) next to the tracks which may provide a unique photo opportunity as the train passes through.
|
|
Denton, TX
Pertain Street at Mingo Road |
|
n/a |
Street View |
1.4 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in a low-density residential area in the northeastern part of town. |
|
Denton, TX
Cooper Creek Road at Mingo Road |
|
n/a |
Street View |
2.1 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in a low-density industrial area in the northeastern part of town. |
|
Aubrey, TX
7461 Lowell Road (West of New Hope Road) |
|
n/a |
Street View |
8.8 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in a low-density residential area in the central part of town. |
|
Aubrey, TX
Spring Hill Road and Mary Street/Main Street |
|
n/a |
Street View |
0.4 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in a low-density residential area in the central part of town. |
|
Pilot Point, TX
Liberty Street Crossing |
|
n/a
|
Street View |
7.1 miles |
| Notes: Grade rossing is located in a low-density residential area in the west-central area of town. |
|
Pilot Point, TX
US Highway 377 north of the Buck Creek Boat Launch on Lake Ray Roberts |
|
n/a |
Street View |
4.3 miles |
| Notes: Train will cross over the lake on a railroad bridge northwest of the boat ramp; a good opportunity if you have a long lens. |
|
Tioga, TX
US Highway 377 and Gene Autry Drive |
|
n/a |
Street View |
2.5 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located on the southwest edge of town; limited development on the west side of the tracks, which parallel US 377. |
|
Collinsville, TX
US Highway 377 and W. Locust Street |
|
n/a |
Street View |
6.6 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in southwest corner of town in a low-density residential area. |
|
Whitesboro, TX
US Highway 377 and Parker Lane |
|
n/a |
Street View |
1.6 miles |
| Notes: This grade crossing provides an opportunity to photograph the train before it makes a a sweeping right/easterly turn away from US Highway 377. |
|
Whitesboro, TX
Broadway Street north of Locust Street |
|
n/a |
Street View |
0.6 miles |
| Notes: This location provides an opportunity to photograph the train as it completes a sweeping right/easterly turn away from US Highway 377. |
|
Whitesboro, TX
US Highway 377 and Sherman Drive (Overpass) |
|
n/a |
Street View |
0.9 miles |
| Notes: Train will pass over Sherman Drive and under US Highway 377. This is a very small overpass and affords only a partial view of the locomotive as it passes over Sherman Drive. |
|
Whitesboro, TX
US Highway 82 (Overpass) |
|
n/a |
Street View |
4.5 miles |
| Notes: Train will pass directly under Highway 82; be careful when parking and walking on the unprotected highway shoulder. |
|
Pottsboro, TX
Grayson Avenue Crossing |
|
n/a
|
Street View |
18.8 miles |
| Notes: This grade crossing is located in the southwest corner of town. |
|
Denison, TX
Tom Tynes Road and Helen Drive |
|
n/a |
Street View |
3.9 miles |
| Notes: There is a lot of open space around this grade crossing; you will have a wide view of the locomotive as it approaches. |
|
Denison, TX
Red River Bridge |
|
n/a |
Street View |
8.4 miles |
| Notes: View of the train crossing the railroad bridge is available on the north shore of the Red River. Limited parking is available in a gravel lot. Be careful of heavy traffic on US 75 caused by people parking on the highway shoulder to photograph the train coming across the bridge. |
|
Colbert, OK
OK-91 and Eastward Road |
|
n/a |
Street View |
5.2 miles |
| Notes: This grade crossing is located in a low-density area immediately southeast of downtown. |
|
Calera, OK
E. Washington Avenue and Beshears Street |
|
n/a |
Street View |
8.3 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in a low-density area in the northwest part of town just east of Highways 75/69. |
|
Durant, OK
Louisiana Street Crossing |
Arrive
Depart |
1:15 PM CT
1:45 PM CT |
Street View |
8.0 miles |
| Notes: Today's only whistle stop is located on the southeast corner of downtown; there will likely be large crowds. Plan your exit strategy and leave before the train does if you are going to continue chasing it north. |
|
Caddo, OK
Buffalo Street (OK-22) and N. Main Street |
|
n/a |
Street View |
13.4 miles |
| Notes: The train will pass beneath Buffalo Street (OK-22) just east of downtown. |
|
Caney, OK
E. Main Street and Old Highway (Overpass) |
|
n/a |
Street View |
8.8 miles |
| Notes: Crossing is located east of town with lots of trees around; this may affect viewing angles; this is a very small overpass and affords only a partial view of the locomotive as it passes over E. Main Street. |
|
Tushka, OK
W. Boggy Depot Road and S. Katy Road |
|
n/a |
Street View |
7.9 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in open area on southeastern corner of town. |
|
Atoka, OK
E. Court Street and Main Street (Overpass) |
|
n/a
|
Street View |
6.0 miles |
| Notes: Crossing is located on eastern edge of downtown; tracks cross over E. Court Street, so there may be unique photo opportunities from the protected sidewalks on either side of the street. |
|
Stringtown, OK
S. Bond Street and Wells Street |
|
n/a |
Street View |
7.4 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in an open area near a residential neighborhood and just west of a baseball field. |
|
Kiowa, OK
Harper Valley Road and Jackson Avenue |
|
n/a |
Street View |
21.0 miles |
| Notes: Grade crossing is located in a low-density residential neighborhood. |
|
Savanna, OK
Choctaw Avenue and Main Street |
|
n/a |
Street View |
8.0 miles |
| Notes: Crossing is located in a low-density area between light industrial buildings (including a US Post Office) and residential homes. |
|
McAlester, OK
1 E. Krebs Avenue |
|
n/a |
Street View |
10.3 miles |
| Notes: Open area on west side of downtown; potential for large crowds since this is the endpoint for the day's travel. |
|
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