U-P Big Boy 4014 Steam Locomotive To Pass Through Panhandle Thursday

      One of the most famous steam engines in the region will be rumbling through the southern Panhandle Thursday.

     Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014, part of the largest class of steam locomotives in the world, will depart Cheyenne on a 3-week trip that will take it to 10 states.

      The main stops are Fort Worth, Houston, New Orleans, St Louis, and Denver, but there will be shorter stops in towns of varying sizes along the route when steam fans can get an up-close look at the Big Boy.

      Those stops include 3 in or near the Panhandle tomorrow – Pine Bluffs, Wyo, from 9:45-10:30 at the Main Street Crossing, Kimball from 11:30-12:15 at 1st and Walnut, and Sidney, where Big Boy 4014 will arrive at 10th and Hickory at 2:00 and spend the night.

      On Friday, the route dips into Colorado at Julesburg and then comes back to Nebraska for stops in Ogallala and North Platte, another overnight stop. 

      Saturday takes the steam locomotive to the eastern half of Nebraska with stops in Cozad, Kearney, Hastings, Belvidere, and Fairbury while Sunday sees the route turn south to Kansas. A complete map and schedule of Big Boy 4014’s tour can be found at online at upsteam.com