Big Boy steam locomotive chugging into Greeley, Denver: Here's how to see it for free

Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·4 min read

It doesn't get any bigger than this for train enthusiasts.

The Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive will rumble from Cheyenne south through Greeley and on to Denver this week, and you can get up close to this rare engine for free (or pay up to $1,200 to ride it).

The tour honors Union Pacific's 160th anniversary. Here is what you need to know about the train's mini-tour Thursday through Saturday. You can follow the progress of No. 4014 this week at upsteam.com or @UP_Steam on Twitter.

Here is a timeline of when you can see Big Boy

Thursday: Big Boy No. 4014 will leave the Union Pacific's steam shop in Cheyenne at 10 a.m. There is no public viewing here.

You will be able to see it as it chugs down Union Pacific's route along U.S. Highway 85 through Ault, Eaton and into Greeley. It will arrive there at approximately 11:30 a.m. and remain until 12:15 p.m. at the 10th Street railroad crossing east of downtown. There is no cost for the public viewing.

When it departs from Greeley, it will head to Denver, arriving at 4:30 p.m. There is no public viewing opportunity at that time.

Friday: Big Boy will be on display at Denver's Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to this free public viewing opportunity, the public will be able to take part in the free Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car exhibit. This multimedia walk-through exhibition provides a glimpse of the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading.

Saturday: Big Boy will pull out of Denver's Union Station at 7:10 a.m., hauling those who purchased tickets on the 2022 Museum Special's decked-out train cars back to Cheyenne. It will arrive in Greeley at 9:30 a.m. and depart at 10:15 a.m. at the same site as Thursday's stop. Public viewing will once again be allowed.

After its arrival at the Cheyenne Depot Museum, 121 W. 15th St., it will be on public display from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., after which it will return to the steam shop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fEt_Se3rkA&t=41s

How to stay safe when seeing Big Boy No. 4014

If you're heading out to see the steam locomotive during its trip, keep in mind these safety tips shared by Union Pacific:

  • Stay at least 25 feet from railroad tracks

  • Don't trespass to see the train. Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are all private property.

  • Always expect there to be a train on tracks. Don't assume tracks are abandoned or inactive.

This story continues below the video.

What do the Museum Special tickets cost and what do they include?

This trip is an annual fundraiser for the Union Pacific Museum. This is a rare opportunity to travel behind the historic Big Boy in the classic dome cars, The Challenger or Colorado Eagle. Guests (must be 18 years or older) will receive breakfast, bus transportation to the Ames Monument and an opportunity to visit the Union Pacific Experience car display in the Promontory car.

Once in Cheyenne, riders will return to Denver via motor coaches.

Cost ranges from $650 to $1,200. Information on tickets can be found at https://uptraintix.com/tickets.

More: City Park trainCost is $5 million or more to replace

What makes the Big Boy so special?

For one, Big Boy locomotives are considered the largest steam locomotives at 132 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds. The massive engines were primarily used to manage the steep track between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne.

There were only 25 made for Union Pacific. No. 4014 is the only operating Big Boy of the eight that have been preserved. The other seven are on public display in Denver; Cheyenne; Omaha, Nebraska; Dallas; St. Louis; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Big Boy No. 4014's West Coast Steam Tour has been canceled this year, making this week's viewing even more special.

Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: How to see Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 in Greeley, Denver