Big Boy No. 4014, only operating steam engine in the world, makes a stop in Central Texas

MEXIA, Texas (KWTX) – The world’s largest operating steam engine, Big Boy No. 4014, made a stop at E Commerce St. Crossing in Mexia as part of the Pacific Union’s Heartland of America Tour.

Hundreds of people gathered in the small Central Texas town just to get a glimpse of this historic machine, one of 25 built during World War 2, and the only one of the eight that survived the war to still be in operation today.

The Big Boy steam engines are truly a sight to behold, and if you ever get the chance to see one in person, it’s not hard to understand why.

Ed Dickens, the chief locomotive engineer, explained that “it’s 7,000 horsepower, 17 feet tall, 135 feet long.”

Dickens actually spearheaded the renovation of Big Boy No. 4014 so it could once again travel around the country.

He says what makes this steam engine so special is its history. “It was in service from when it was delivered in November of ‘41 until it was retired and removed from service in July of 1959,” Dickens shared, “the Union Pacific donated it and it lived in a museum in Los Angeles at the Pomona County Fairgrounds at the RailGiants Museum until we went to get it back in 2013.”

For some, like young Matthew from Austin, this was their first time ever seeing the fully-operational Big Boy steam engine.

“It was just like crazy, it was crazy big,” Matthew said, “my favorite part was the engine because it was like so long, and since this is the only one operating, it’s super rare to see.”

Others in attendance grew up watching these machines. William Hayward said that when he was a kid, they passed behind his home in Weiser, Idaho all the time.

“I was born November 16th, 1931. I used to get on my bike and run down to the railroad track to see this thing coming through,” Hayward said.

But no matter how many times he sees it, it never fails to amaze him, sharing that, “when that engine comes in… it’s awe inspiring.”

And for Dickens, it never gets old seeing people’s reactions whenever they come through.

“We can feel the energy and the excitement in the crowd and, you know, all the little kids and the grandparents and the families,” Dickens said, “People are tailgating waiting for us, sitting in lawn chairs, cheering us on, listening to that whistle… they can hear the locomotive coming for miles, you know you can hear that whistle blowing. So it’s really fun for us.”

If you missed Thursday’s stop on the Heartland of America Tour, there are still 10 more stops here in Texas and the tour goes until October 23rd.

For a look at the No. 4014’s full tour schedule click here.

Copyright 2024 KWTX. All rights reserved.