Union Pacific’s historic Big Boy steam locomotive No. 4014 is touring the Union Pacific system throughout 2019 to commemorate the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary and we were able to view it today!
We started in Abilene, where there was a good sized crowd. We were able to find a parking space, but then found out it was delayed by an hour.
So we went to a local park to eat lunch, and got a prime spot when we got back.
Soon Big Boy 4014 came steaming down the track, headed towards the crowd. Then, as it was pulling up, it blew it’s whistle.
IT WAS LOUD!!!
Knowing the train was going to remain in Abilene for 20 minutes or so, we headed west with the plan to try and get some more pictures.
All along the road to Solomon, all the possible viewing points were occupied by one or more cars.
We went to a site we had scouted yesterday and waited. It wasn’t long before we got our second view of this magnificent piece of equipment.
Due to where we were parked, we had to wait for the train to pass before we could leave Solomon. By then, there was a lot of traffic on the road. Not having any plans to stop again, and not being fans of traffic jams, we took one final picture and the exited old Highway 40 to take the dirt roads home.
