Big crowd turns out to see Big Boy No. 4014 up close in Houston

HOUSTON — Throngs of people from near and far came out and looked in wonder as they got to see the world's largest operating steam locomotive up close while it was on display at Houston's downtown Amtrak Station on Sunday.

Big Boy No. 4014 is in town as part of the Heartland of America Tour , which kicked off Aug. 28 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The tour so far has taken the historic steam locomotive through seven states, including Texas. From Texas, the train will head north and visit three more states. When it's all said and done, the tour will have visited more than three dozen communities, with display days and whistle stops along the way.

The colossal steam locomotive rumbled into the Houston metro on Friday after being out of public view for nearly two weeks due to scheduled maintenance.

The excitement was palpable as onlookers and railroad fans packed the area outside the station to see the 132-foot-long locomotive that weighs a whopping 1.2 million pounds, which even while parked radiated heat and occasionally chugged to life. Parents took photos of their children standing in front of the locomotive while other visitors talked about their railroad knowledge and previous glimpses of the Big Boy.

"The steam locomotive is one of the best ambassadors you can have," said Ed Dickens, train engineer and senior manager of Union Pacific Railroad's heritage operations. "A rolling, operating functional steam locomotive makes friends wherever it goes."

In addition to giving onlookers a chance to see an operating steam locomotive on mainline freight tracks, the Big Boy serves as a way to connect to the past while illustrating the importance of railroading today, Dickens said.

"It helps us tell the story of the importance of the history of our country, especially on the Union Pacific Railroad," he said.

The Big Boys were built in the 1940s to carry loads in the mountains of Utah and Wyoming. They feature a massive boiler and 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement that allowed them to curve with the tracks while keeping their pulling power.

"It was built and designed to do the same things we have our locomotives doing today, and that's pull big long trains, pull lots of tonnage, and move that tonnage across the system quickly," said Dickens.

The ties to the past were apparent in another way. Several onlookers mentioned that they were interested in trains as children, and getting to see the Big Boy tapped into that childhood wonderment.

"Twelve-year-old me would have been super super stoked to be here right now," said Amy Layne, who was in town from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and meeting a friend to view the Big Boy.

While Layne was getting to live out a childhood dream as an adult, there were several children in the crowd lucky enough to see the Big Boy, as well.

Nine-year-old Peter Hundley from Austin finally got to see one of his favorite steam locomotives in person.

"He's a super train fan, and so, we're thrilled that [Big Boy] finally came through Texas so that we can see him," said father Nick.

When asked why he wanted to come see the Big Boy, Peter enthusiastically declared, "Because I love him!"

Where does Big Boy go next? If you didn't get a chance to make it to Houston to see the Big Boy, you'll have a few more opportunities to see No. 4014 before it departs Texas on Sunday, Oct. 13.

The Big Boy and its special train of Armour Yellow executive cars will depart Houston at 9 a.m. CT on Monday, Oct. 7, to head toward Bryan. The train will make whistle stops that day in Spring and Navasota.

While not technically a whistle stop or display day, the Big Boy will be available for public viewing all day in Bryan on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The train will depart Bryan at 9 a.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 9, to make its way to Fort Worth. There will be whistle stops that day in Marlin and West.

After that, the Big Boy will make its last public appearance in Texas during two display days in Fort Worth that are free and open to the public. The locomotive will be accessible from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT on Thursday, Oct. 10, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 11.

Finally, Big Boy No. 4014 departs the state on Sunday, Oct. 13, as it heads toward McAlester, Oklahoma.

If you plan to catch a glimpse of Big Boy No. 4014, Union Pacific has provided a steam locomotive tracking map that shows where the train is located and its planned route. There's also a Twitter account dedicated to broadcasting the train's location and when it's on the move.

While the railroad does publish morning departure and planned whistle stop times, arrival times for overnight stops aren't available. It's also important to remember any scheduled times are subject to change.

Keep safety in mind Regardless of how you plan to see Big Boy No. 4014, it's important to keep safety top of mind . The railroad provided the following guidelines:

Onlookers and drones always should stay back 25 feet from all railroad tracks.

Never take a picture or video standing on the track or the ballast and never climb on the locomotive or equipment.

Don't trespass. Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and rights of way are private property.

Never assume tracks are abandoned and always expect a train.

Be a safe and considerate driver when traveling to different locations. Do not pace the train with your car.