The world's largest operating steam locomotive, Big Boy No. 4014, is making its way coast-to-coast as part of the America 250 anniversary celebration.

The front view of Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014. the world's largest steam locomotive.On Monday, June 8, Union Pacific’s Big Boy will pass through the Cleveland area, making a 30-minute stop in Euclid.

The America 250 transcontinental tour celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In honor of this, Big Boy carries the emblem of the America 250 Semi-quincentennial Commission, the non-partisan group planning the anniversary celebrations.

“We are proud to honor our nation’s great history and legacy of innovation with our heritage locomotives,” said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena in a statement. “For the first time, we will share the Big Boy with communities on the East Coast, operating it from ocean to ocean.”

Big Boy history
More than eight decades ago, Union Pacific Railroad commissioned 25 Big Boy locomotives to haul oversized equipment on the home front during World War II. Each steam engine was 133 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds.

In 1941, the first Big Boy was delivered to Union Pacific from Schenectady, New York where it was built. The locomotives usually ran between Ogden, Utah to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Today, only eight out of the original 25 Big Boys are still in existence. Big Boy 4014 is the only one still in operation.

Big Boy No. 4014, which is touring for the America 250 celebration, was retired in 1961 after completing over one million miles while active. In 2013, it was taken back to Cheyenne, where it underwent a multi-year restoration.

Now, No. 4014 will finish its eastern leg of the tour en route to its final destination in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for an Independence Day July 4 celebration.

Tour timeline
The western leg of the tour began on March 29. Big Boy made 27 whistle-stops and four public displays during its tour from California to Wyoming.

The front view of Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014. the world's largest steam locomotive.The eastern leg of the voyage began on May 25, as Big Boy departed eastward from Wyoming for the first time in its life.

The route transfers the locomotive from Union Pacific's network to Norfolk Southern's network through one of more than 100 interchange points connecting the two railroads.

Tour organizers say Big Boy's route through the Ohio River Valley and Pennsylvania highlights the historic role railroads played in driving technological innovation and economic growth across the Midwest

Big Boy will be in the area both before and after the July 4th celebration. The public will get a chance to view the locomotive as it goes to Philadelphia and on its journey home to Wyoming later in July.

For the exact whereabouts of Big Boy, Union Pacific’s online tracker shows the engine’s location and status at any given time.

Northeast Ohio
There are plenty of chances to catch a glimpse of this historic locomotive as it travels through Northeast Ohio.

Big Boy traveling through Sherman Hill, Wyoming.On Monday, June 8, Big Boy will depart from Bellevue at 9 a.m., travel northeast for about 40 miles, and stop in Lorain for an appearance from 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. near West 11th Street and Reid Avenue.

As the locomotive moves on to Euclid, Big Boy stops for 30 minutes at the Chardon Road crossing, north of Euclid Avenue, where attendees can see the record-breaking locomotive from 1:30 p.m. until 2 p.m.

Big Boy will spend its final night in Ohio in Conneaut before departing for Pennsylvania and New York on Tuesday, June 9.

Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena says the company is proud to show off this piece of history to the country during the America 250 celebration.

“This tour celebrates our company’s rich 164-year history, our nation’s amazing story, and the people who have helped build our great country and our railroad,” Vena said in a statement.

Detailed information on the timing and locations of Big Boy’s stops can be found on Union Pacific’s Steam Schedule.