News : Big Boy to stop in Belle Plaine on Monday, June 1

The Union Pacific will be bringing Big Boy No. 4014 through Benton County as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration. The world’s largest operating steam locomotive will pass through on its coast-to-coast tour.

There were a total of 25 Big Boys built during World War II, but only eight survived, and No. 4014 is the only one still running. Big Boy is 133 feet long and weighs 1.2 million pounds.

There will be more than 50 whistle stops as it makes its way across 10 states of the eastern portion of its trip. This trip will be the first time that it has crossed the Mississippi River since it was arrived at the Union Pacific Railroad in 1941.

This will be the second time that the train has passed through the county in as many years. It visited Benton County as part of its Heartland of America Tour. in 2024.

This tour began on April 10 leaving downtown Sacramento near the historic Milepost 0, where the first transcontinental railroad was built in 1863.

You can see the full schedule here and track Big Boy’s location here.

There is no charge to see the train at its stops across the state. The train will only be in Iowa for three days. Below are the scheduled stops.  

Sunday, May 31 – Denison

• S. Main Street Crossing 
• 11:30 a.m. to noon

Sunday, May 31 – Carroll

• Old Depot (407 W. 5th St.) 
• 1 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. 

Monday, June 1 – Tama 

• McClellan St. Crossing 
• 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. 

Monday, June 1 – Belle Plaine 

• 8th Ave. Crossing 
• 12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Tuesday, June 2 – Grand Mound 

• Smith St. Crossing 
• 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.