Illinois residents will have one last chance to see Union Pacific’s 4014 Big Boy steam engine before the locomotive sets off for the next destination.
The classic train stopped in three Illinois communities in recent days — Sterling, Rochelle and Watseka — as part of its 10-state “Heartland of America” tour.
Ahead of its public debut in Rochelle on Sunday, extensive traffic delays and backups were reported. Pictures posted on social media showed traffic backups and a number of people trying to beat traffic and walk along the road to the display.
Big Boy was the star of the show in Watseka as crowds upon crowds waited hours to see the locomotive up close.
According to officials, Big Boy No. 4014 one of 25 built in the 1940s to cope with the steep slopes of Utah’s Wasatch mountain range during World War II. It is only one of eight that survives, and the only one still in operation today.
The classic steam engine pulls everywhere it goes, including some repeat visitors.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” said one resident. “People have been really excited for the last week and a half here. Haven’t seen that in a while. Everyone’s kind of letting life go by. At this point our population has doubled, it’s fun.”
After stopping in Watseka on Monday night, the train was scheduled to depart for Nokomis, about 50 miles southeast of Springfield. For anyone considering driving, Big Boy will be at the community’s Maple Street crossing for the public between 12:15 and 12:45 on Tuesday.