T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY The mammoth steam locomotive “Big Boy” is shown shortly after it pulled up to the Union Pacific Railroad’s South Second Street crossing Wednesday.

Hundreds of Central Iowans turned out Wednesday to meet “Big Boy” the giant steam-powered locomotive at the Union Pacific Railroad’s Second Street crossing. Black as night, the 133-foot long and 16-feet four inch tall machine towered over any onlooker who got close.

Big Boy’s celebrated arrival was a page out of yesteryear when steam locomotives were king and Marshalltown a bustling rail center where several railroads managed freight and passenger business.

“It is part of history,” Julie Wingert of Albion said. “I remember riding on a train car when I was in first grade. It was one of the last passenger trains running out of Marshalltown.”

Joining Wingert was daughter Amber, and two grandchildren Breanna, 4, and Kaylen, 4 months.

“We wanted to show the girls the train,” Amber Wingert said.

Retired railroad executive Merrill Price of Marshalltown said he was somewhat familiar with the unique locomotives.

“I saw one in Wyoming in 1955, while stationed in the U.S. Air Force,” he said. “The UP used them in the mountains between Wyoming and Utah. They are extremely strong locomotives.”

Big Boy and the “The Living Legend 844” are touring the UP network to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion.

Made at the American Locomotive Works 69585 in Schenectady, N.Y. Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to the UP in December 1941. The locomotive was retired in December 1961, having traveled 1,031,205 miles in 20 years of service. The UP reacquired No. 4014 from the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, Calif. in 2013, and relocated it back to Cheyenne, Wyo. to begin a multi-year restoration process.

Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for the UP, the first delivered in 1941. Because of their great length, the frames of the Big Boys were “hinged,” or articulated, to allow them to negotiate curves. They had a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, which meant they had four wheels on the leading set of “pilot” wheels which guided the engine, eight drivers, another set of eight drivers and four wheels following which supported the rear of the locomotive. There are seven Big Boys on public display in St. Louis; Dallas; Omaha, Neb.; Denver; Scranton, Pa.; Green Bay, Wis.; and Cheyenne.

After approximately 45 minutes, Big Boy departed for a 2 p.m. stop at the Main Street crossing in Elkhart, followed by a 3:30 p.m. stop at 3201 E. Court Ave. in Des Moines.

It will be on display at that location 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 1.

At 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 2, there will be a 45-minute stop at the Quartz Avenue crossing in Boone. At 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 2, there is a 45-stop at the Old CNW Depot, 407 W. Fifth St. in Carroll and at 3:30 p.m. at the Lincolnway Street crossing on Woodbine.

A comprehensive route map and tour schedule, including No. 4014’s GPS location tracking information is available at upsteam.com.

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Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611 or

mdonahey@timesrepublican.com