World’s largest steam engine ‘Big Boy’ to stop at Big Sandy

BIG SANDY, Texas (KLTV) – The world’s largest steam locomotive that in operation, Union Pacific’s famous Big Boy No. 4014, will soon make a stop in East Texas.

“Here we go again,” said Lisa Baggett, Big Sandy’s mayor after another train passed through the city.

Railroads are a big part of Big Sandy’s history. When the town was established, people moved three times to be close to the trains. Now the city will be a stop for the largest operating steam engine in the world Union Pacific’s No. 4014 better known as “Big Boy”.

“We follow the trains we are a crossroads,” said Baggett.

The stop is part of the 2024 Heartland of America Tour which kicked off last month. During the tour, Big Boy will pass through Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming.

“We are very very blessed and excited that they chose us for the stop and we will be named Train Stop USA,” said Baggett.

The big engine is part of 25 Big Boys that were built during World War II. “Big Boy” is the only one still in operation.

“The train will be the big focus, the big boy is one of few this thing is going to be massive,” said Baggett.

Big Sandy will have shuttles, food trucks, and activities available near the viewing area in anticipation for around a thousand visitors.

“We feel extremely lucky that this is happening for Big Sandy and all rail fans,” said Wayne Smith the president of the North Texas chapter of National Railway Historical Society.

Mayor Smith says even people who don’t like trains could become fans after seeing this big engine.

“They see this massive monster going down tracks … it’s almost life-changing,” said Smith.

Big Boy will stop at Big Sandy at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday for 45 minutes, before is heads west to Dallas.

Click here, for more on the activities, food trucks, and more that will be available in Big Sandy. If you can’t make it there will be live coverage from it through here.

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