A World War 2 era steam engine rolled through Texas Wednesday, making brief stops in Marlin and West as part of Union Pacific’s Heartland of America Tour. Only a few of these trains remain operational today.
Hundreds of people gather Wednesday in the small town of West, filling three blocks along the rail tracks. Some are residents and business owners, even a couple dental assistants on their lunch break. Others traveled from all over Texas just to see the famed Big Boy.
No matter where they came from they all came for the same reason.
"We just want to see a big train," said eleven-year-old Emery Denning-Marsh. He and his mom, Frances Marsh, drove an hour to see the train.
Emery spent weeks leading up to the trip researching the train. He's like a mini-historian.
"It was one of the last Union Pacific Steamers that was made," Emery said.
When he says steamer, he means steam engine. The Big Boy No. 4014 - the train's official name - was constructed in 1941. It ran for 20 years before its retirement in 1961 and traveled just over The Big Boy Number 4014 – the train’s official name – was constructed in 1941. It ran for 20 years before its retirement in 1961 and traveled just over 1 million miles.
The train was meant to be named something else, but…
"When one was coming out of the factory, someone - we don't know who - but someone chalked 'Big Boy' on the front of it. And here today, it's still there," he said.
Union Pacific began restoration on the train in 2013 and began its first tour in 2019. The Heartland of America Tour began in August of this year.
As the train rolled into West, the crowd cheered. The conductors respond with whistle blows and waves.
Tristan Ringeberger, who traveled from Waco, has loved trains his whole life. When his friend suggested driving to West to see the Big Boy, he was excited.
"Just the train pulling up and feeling the rumble," he said. "It's worth it."
Frances and Emery were just as amazed by the Big Boy, but even more surprised by the crowd.
"Somebody behind us was saying back in the day when steam trains first cam out, this is the kinds of crowds it would pull. And now, like we've advanced and then we're coming back to like 'wow, look at this awesome engineering,'" Frances said.
As we wrapped up our conversation, Emery left me with one last piece of advice.
"If you can see it, completely see it. It's once in a lifetime experience," he said.
If you missed the train in West, Big Boy No. 4014 will be in Fort Worth for public viewing on Thursday and Friday. The next whistle stop will be in Durant, Oklahoma on Sunday, October 13.
To find the full schedule and more information about the public viewing in Fort Worth, visit up.com.
