Big Boy steam locomotive to appear in several Arizona cities

PHOENIX – A historic steam engine will make several stops in Arizona as part of its fourth and final 150th anniversary celebration.

There will be multiple opportunities to spot the newly restored locomotive in the desert during its journey eastward, including in Yuma, Casa Grande, Willcox and Bowie from Oct. 15 and running through Oct. 19.

The train is scheduled to arrive in Casa Grande, about an hour drive from Phoenix on Oct. 15 at 2:45 p.m. at First and Wilson streets and depart on Oct. 16 at 8 a.m.

The majority of these stops range from 30-45 minutes and give visitors the opportunity to capture photos of the historic Big Boy.

The Union Pacific Railroad said a public display period for Big Boy No. 4014, the largest steam operated locomotive in the world, is also scheduled in Tucson from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 18.

Viewing is allowed at other locations from at least 25 feet away.

The 1.2 million-pound train will depart from Cheyenne, Wyoming before making its way down to Utah, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Arizona, and Texas.

Union Pacific said the “Great Race Across the Southwest” is part of a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad.

The first (of 25) Big Boy locomotives was delivered exclusively to Union Pacific in 1941. Its purpose was to navigate to and from Cheyenne and Ogden, UT and maneuver through steep terrain.

There are eight Big Boys remaining today.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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