Giant steam locomotive makes a stop in Chicago area this weekend

If you have any train fans at home, they will love nothing more than to set their eyes on one of the world’s largest steam locomotives. 

Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” Train No. 4014 will be on display in West Chicago July 27-29. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad, the 1.2-million pound locomotive is traveling through Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming in the “Great Race across the Midwest.” 

RELATED: 10 train activities your Chicago kids will go choo-choo over

Ed Dickens, the engineer on Big Boy #UP4014, wants to see you trackside, but needs you to stay 25 feet away from the tracks for everyone's safety.Please share this important safety message with your friends and family! pic.twitter.com/VXFFOOahKC

— UP Steam (@UP_Steam) July 24, 2019

Built in the 1940s, the train can be found at Larry S. Provo Training Center until it departs West Chicago at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. At the display, visitors can also walk through “Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car” exhibit to learn more about railroading with facts about the past and present day.

Want to catch the steam locomotive when it’s on the move? You can track the train through Union Pacific’s GPS tracker at up.com. 

If you go

Union Pacific’s Big Boy Event

July 27 9 a.m.-4 p.m., July 28-29 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Larry S. Provo Training Center, 335 Spencer St., West Chicago

Find more information at westchicago.org.

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