Big Boy #4014 continues its tour: See where you can catch the world's largest locomotive in Texas before it leaves

If you haven't had a chance to see the world's largest operating steam locomotive, there are plenty of opportunities to see it in Texas during the first two weeks of October.

Union Pacific's Big Boy #4014 will continue its Heartland of America tour on Friday, October 4th. There will be three days of exhibition and several whistle stops before the special train leaves the state on Sunday, October 13th.

The overall tour began on August 28th in Cheyenne, Wyoming and has taken the giant steam locomotive through seven states so far, including Texas. From Texas, the train travels north and visits three other states. Ultimately, the tour will have visited more than three dozen communities.

No. 4014 is the only Big Boy steam locomotive in operation today. Union Pacific restored it in 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad.

The locomotive is huge even by today's standards. It's 132 feet long and weighs a whopping 1.2 million pounds. In total, 25 Big Boy locomotives were built for Union Pacific to haul heavy freight during World War II, but only eight still exist. The other seven are on display throughout the country.

Here's how to see Big Boy #4014 in Texas

There are three ways to see Big Boy #4014 before he leaves the Lone Star State.

The first will take place during the exhibition days in Houston on Sunday, October 6th and Fort Worth on Thursday, October 10th and Friday, October 11th. The train is parked so rail fans and spectators can get up close and personal with the locomotive. Admission to view the train on exhibition days is free and open to the public. According to the railroad, these are the best times to see the Big Boy.

The second way to see Big Boy #4014 is at a whistle stop. The special train will stop at designated railroad crossings in seven remaining Texas cities for the public to view. These stops typically last about 30 minutes and give spectators the opportunity to see the train up close as it briefly stops.

Eventually, it will be possible to see the Big Boy rolling through multiple cities between stops. The special train will not stop in these cities, but these occasions will be the least crowded and allow spectators to watch the train pass through at high speed.

Think about safety

Regardless of how you choose to watch Big Boy #4014, it's important to keep safety in mind. The railroad provided the following guidelines:

• Spectators and drones should always maintain a distance of 25 feet from all train tracks.
• Never take a photo or video while standing on the track or gravel, and never climb onto the locomotive or equipment.
• Don't trespass. Railroad tracks, tracks, yards and rights of way are private property.
• Never assume the tracks are deserted and always expect a train.
• Be a safe and considerate driver when driving to different places. Don't walk up and down the train with your car.

Full schedule remaining to catch Big Boy in Texas

If you plan to take a look at Big Boy #4014, Union Pacific has provided a steam locomotive tracking map that shows where the train is and what route it has planned. There is also a Twitter account that broadcasts the train's location and its journey details.

While the railroad publishes morning departure and scheduled whistle stop times, arrival times for overnight stops are not available. It is also important to remember that all scheduled times are subject to change.

Here's a look at the complete schedule for Big Boy #4014 before he leaves the state on Sunday, October 13th.

Oct. 4: Hearne to Houston

After being out of the public eye for two weeks for scheduled maintenance, Big Boy #4014 will depart Hearne, Texas on Friday, October 4th at 9 a.m. CT and make its way to Houston.

The cities the train will pass through on this day include:

• Hearne
• Bryan
• College Station
• Millican
• Navasota (whistle stop from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
• Hempstead (whistle stop from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.)
• View of the prairie
• Waller
• Hockley
• cypress
• Jersey Village
• Houston

Oct. 5: No public access in Houston

Following its arrival in Houston, Big Boy #4014 will be closed to the public on Saturday, October 5, due to a private Union Pacific employee event.

Oct. 6: Exhibition Day in Houston

Big Boy #4014 will be at the Houston Amtrak Station at 902 Washington Ave. on Sunday, October 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT. issued.

Admission to view the Big Boy on exhibition days is free and open to the public.

October 7: Houston to Bryan, Texas

Big Boy #4014 will depart Houston on Monday, October 7th at 9 a.m. CT and head to Bryan, Texas. Heading north it will follow a different route than heading into the city.

The cities the train will pass through on this day include:

• Spring (whistle stop from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
• Pinehurst
• magnolia
• Todd mission
• Plantersville
• Navasota (whistle stop from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• Millican
• College Station
• Bryan

Oct. 8: Only seen in Bryan

Although not technically a whistle stop or display day, the Big Boy will be on display all day on Tuesday, October 8th in Bryan at the intersection of F and B Road, right next to the intersection with Wellborn Road. can be viewed publicly.

October 9: Bryan to Fort Worth

Big Boy #4014 will depart Bryan on Wednesday, October 9th at 9 a.m. CT and head to Fort Worth.

The cities the train will pass through on this day include:

• Marlin (whistle stop from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)
• Riesel
• Waco
• Bellmead
• Peak lake view
• Northcrest
• Elm Mott
• West (whistle stop from 1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.)
• Abbott
• Hillsboro
• Itasca
• Grandview
• Alvarado
• Burleson
• Edgecliff Village
• Fort Worth

10-11 October: Exhibition days in Fort Worth

Big Boy #4014 will be in Fort Worth for two days at 275 W. Lancaster Ave. be issued. The locomotive will be open to the public on Thursday, October 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT on Friday, October 11th.

Admission to view the Big Boy on exhibition days is free and open to the public.

Oct. 12: No public access in Fort Worth

The Big Boy will remain in Fort Worth one more day for a private Union Pacific employee event and will not be open to the public on Saturday, October 12th.

Oct. 13: Fort Worth to McAlester, Oklahoma

Sunday, October 13th is your last chance to see the train in Texas. The train departs Fort Worth at 8:00 a.m. CT and heads toward McAlester, Oklahoma.

The cities the train will pass through on this day include:

• Watauga
• Roanoke
• Marshall Creek
• Argyle
• Denton
• Aubrey
• Pilot point
• Tioga
• Collinsville
• Whitesboro
• Sadler
• Pottsboro
• Denison
• Colbert, Oklahoma
• Calera, Oklahoma
• Durant, Oklahoma (whistle stop from 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.)
• Armstrong, Okla
• Caddo, Oklahoma
• Caney, Okla
• Tushka, Oklahoma
• Atoka, Oklahoma
• Stringtown, Oklahoma
• Kiowa, Oklahoma
• Savanna, Oklahoma
• McAlester, Oklahoma