The big engine that could

Union Pacific’s historic steam locomotive, Big Boy No. 4014, is touring the Union Pacific system throughout the end of the year to commemorate the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary. Ken and I just happened to be in Ken’s hometown, Ellsworth, Kansas, when Big Boy came through this past Saturday morning. What a fantastic experience!

The whole town came out for the event and Ken and I found different spots along the route to shoot photos from. We got some neat perspectives! His from head-on, mine from the side (and from the comfort of our vehicle! It was cold that morning!)

Kansas November skies sure made a beautiful backdrop for Big Boy’s steam.







I especially love Ken’s shot of the train as it parked in town near the Ellsworth Co-op grain elevator. It seemed like the entire town came out to see Big Boy! Certainly, for us, it was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Has Big Boy come through your area of the country? Here’s where you can see Union Pacific’s beautiful historic steam locomotive during the rest of the year. (Not all trips are open to the public.)

This is one of the prettiest sounds on earth. I remember hearing the trains both east and west of our farmhouse when I was a kid and it was like a lullaby.

Posted by Deborah Raney on Thursday, November 21, 2019

Listen to Big Boy’s whistle as it came around the bend. To me, this is one of the prettiest sounds on earth. I remember hearing the trains both east and west of our farmhouse when I was a kid, and it was like a lullaby.