Those of us in Texas have our sights set on trains of the future, a la the Houston to Dallas high-speed train. While that might take another 10 years (or never), you can get a glimpse of a machine that literally laid the tracks for the locomotive industry.
Union Pacific’s No. 4014 aka Big Boy is a historic, 1.2-million-pound locomotive spanning 132 feet long. The machine is one of 25 Big Boys in the country made with a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement to more effectively carry heavy freight. Built in 1941, Big Boy 4014 retired in December 1961 after logging over a million miles. Presently, Big Boy No. 4014 is chugging its way across 7,000 miles of America as a part of its Heartland of America Tour.
This weekend in Houston, the iconic steam engine makes it way to the city.
The massive steam engine will be in the Houston area from Friday, October 4, to Tuesday, October 8. On Friday, October 4, Big Boy will chug into Navasota, where it will remain for 30-minute spell before making its way to Hempstead, stopping at Wilkins St. Crossing from 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm.
Over the weekend, organizers will host two viewing events. While the event on Saturday will be reserved for Private Union Pacific employees, the public can get a glimpse of Big Boy in Houston on Sunday October 6, from 9 am to 3 pm at Houston Amtrak located at 902 Washington Ave.
The event on Saturday is open and free to the public.
Additionally, Big Boy will be on display at Elm Street Crossing in Spring, Texas on Monday, October 7, for a brief 30-minute window. Following, Big Boy will make a quick stop in Navasota, Texas. On Tuesday, October 8, the locomotive will remain at Wellborn Road and F&B Road Crossing in Bryan, Texas.
The last time Big Boy was in Houston was back in 2019 following its restoration.
See also: 56 magical things to do this October in Houston