5 Things to Know About Visiting the Steam Engine in Sterling – Shaw Local

STERLING – Union Pacific’s Big Boy steam locomotive No. 4014 will make a stop in Sterling on Friday, Sept. 6. Here are five things to know about its visit:

Why does the steam engine come to Sterling?

Big Boy is coming through Sterling as part of his eight-week “Heartland of America Tour,” which begins in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on Thursday, Aug. 29, and continues through nine more states – Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas – before ending in October. Fans can track Big Boy’s location along his route via the Steam Locomotive Tracking map on Union Pacific’s website.

What is special about the steam engine?

Union Pacific calls Big Boy the largest steam locomotive still in operation in the world. Of the 25 locomotives built during World War II, only eight remain, with Big Boy being the only one still in operation. Seven Big Boys are on public display in various cities across the country. According to Union Pacific’s website, they can be found in St. Louis, Dallas, Omaha, Denver, Scranton, Pennsylvania, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Cheyenne.

The locomotives are 132 feet long and weigh 1.2 million pounds. Because of their enormous length, the Big Boys’ frames were “articulated,” or jointed, to allow them to negotiate curves. According to the website, the giant locomotives typically ran between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne.

Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941. The locomotive was retired in December 1961 after logging 1,031,205 miles in its 20 years of service. Union Pacific reacquired No. 4014 from the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, California in 2013 and brought it back to Cheyenne to begin a multi-year restoration. It was returned to service in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Sterling last passed through the pass on July 30, 2019.

When and where you can see the train

The train will stop at Sterling Marketplace, located on Second Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, from 1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 6. The train will stop near the Avenue B crossing, Sterling Main Street’s Facebook page states. Visitors are expected to stay at least 25 feet away from the tracks at all times. The public is asked to view the train from the north side while the south track remains active.

After Big Boy leaves Sterling, he will stay overnight in Rochelle for an employee-only event on Saturday, September 7. He will be on display at the Union Pacific Ike Evans Global III Terminal, 2701 Intermodal Drive, Rochelle, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 8. The event is free.

Safety and parking

Arrive on time. UP officials say participants must stay at least 25 feet away from all train tracks. This includes drones. Train tracks, bridges, stations and rights of way are private property, so people should never assume the tracks are abandoned or inactive. People also should not walk up and down next to the train.

What else happens during the visit?

Sterling Mayor Diana Merdian is hosting a celebration to honor the event. Visitors can listen to music via 3D sound while learning about special offers from downtown businesses like Brinks, Lucky Lucy’s and others while they wait for the iconic steam engine to arrive, according to a post by Merdian on her Facebook page.

The festivities also recognize the city’s recent designation as a Union Pacific Train Town USA. The designation honors communities founded by immigrants who moved along the growing railroad lines from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean more than 150 years ago. Sterling is one of more than 100 communities, including Rochelle and Crystal Lake, to receive the honor.

“The fun doesn’t stop after the train departs,” Merdian said in the post. “Visit our local bars for tempting drink specials and check out West End Moxie’s special sale for our event. Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to purchase event merchandise from JJM, Build-A-Pet and Sterling Main Street.”

Non-alcoholic beverages are available at the Roaming Mare Mobile Dry Bar and the Sterling Theater serves hot popcorn.

“Let’s join together in giving Big Boy the most remarkable welcome possible and kickstarting our riverfront renaissance,” Merdian said in the post. “Mark your calendars for a day of joy, music and community spirit.”