Illinois residents will have one last chance to see Union Pacific’s 4014 Big Boy steam locomotive before the locomotive departs for its next destination.
The classic train stopped in three Illinois communities in recent days — Sterling, Rochelle and Watseka — as part of its 10-state “Heartland of America” tour.
Ahead of her first public performance in Rochelle on Sunday, major traffic delays and congestion were reported. Photos posted on social media showed traffic jams and a number of people trying to bypass traffic and walk along the road to get to the ceremony.
Big Boy was the star of the show at Watseka as crowds and crowds waited for hours to see the locomotive up close.
According to authorities, Big Boy No. 4014 is one of 25 trains built in the 1940s to tackle the steep grades of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains during World War II. It is one of eight to survive and the only one still in service today.
The classic steam engine attracts visitors everywhere it goes, including some regular visitors.
“I think it’s really cool,” one resident said. “People have been really excited for the last week and a half. I haven’t seen that in a long time. Everyone is just letting life happen. Right now our population has doubled, it’s fun.”
After stopping in Watseka Monday night, the train was scheduled to head back to Nokomis, about 50 miles southeast of Springfield. For anyone planning to make the trip, Big Boy will be at the Maple Street crossing for a public tour between 12:15 and 12:45 p.m. Tuesday.
