Union Pacific’s historic steam locomotive, Big Boy No. 4014, is touring the Union Pacific system throughout the end of the year to commemorate the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary. Ken and I just happened to be in Ken’s hometown, Ellsworth, Kansas, when Big Boy came through this past Saturday morning. What a fantastic experience!
The whole town came out for the event and Ken and I found different spots along the route to shoot photos from. We got some neat perspectives! His from head-on, mine from the side (and from the comfort of our vehicle! It was cold that morning!)
Has Big Boy come through your area of the country? Here’s where you can see Union Pacific’s beautiful historic steam locomotive during the rest of the year. (Not all trips are open to the public.)
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When I was a little girl we lived near the Union Pacific rail road hub in fact my dad worked for them as a mechanic. What a thrill seeing that big boy it must of been for you
It really was a thrill! That’s a good word for it, Millie.
I was born in Salina, KS and my brother worked at a grain elevator, so these scenes are all too familiar to me. Happy 150th Union Pacific!
They are the scenes of my childhood too. I love your birthday greeting to UP!
Fascinating! I loved hearing its loud whistle and seeing ALL THAT steam. (It’s billowing more steam than I would have guessed!) What a great way to commemorate the 150th anniversary.
It was the perfect weather and sky for that steam to really make a splash!
Fabulous pictures! The little town where I live was once a railroad hub. Part of the sounds of my childhood were the trains whistles. Trains still go through, stopping at the grain elevators, but I don’t hear the whistles any more….wonder why?
I think we need to listen “intentionally”! Ken and I are staying in an Airbnb for a few days to work while we’re visiting Kansas in Wichita. Though I never heard the trains when we lived here, apparently we’re close enough in this Airbnb to hear them…or else, I’m more attuned to the sound because of seeing Big Boy and remembering how much I loved that sound from my childhood. I charge you to LISTEN for the trains today, Roxy! 🙂
That would be fascinating! Thanks for sharing this. I’m nowhere near those states, so I won’t be able to see Big Boy. Love hearing about it, though.
I was so glad that we were in the right place at the right time! It wasn’t in our plans because we didn’t even know about it, but it sure was a treat!
Oh that whistle! It touches me down deep. I imagine the Trumpet of the LORD will sound something like that, only BIGGER!!!!
Oh, I LOVE that, Carrie! Yes, it touches me down deep too!
Aren’t you two the lucky ones!! Ken’s photo’s are excellent and it sounds like so much fun to see that engine. I remember when the UP ran through Spokane – as did several lines – but they’re all gone now, merged with BNSF. I’m old enough t think trains are a real thrill. Thanks for sharing!
They ARE a thrill, aren’t they! Thanks for stopping by the blog, Lynne!