Would you like a chance to see the largest steam locomotive in the world? You’ll have two chances in the area this weekend. Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” Steam Locomotive No. 4014 will be passing through Garnett on Sunday, around 1:30 in the afternoon the train will stop for a short time at the Olive Street crossing before heading over to Osawatomie. Everyone is invited to witness this historic event, but are asked to remember to keep a distance of at least 25 feet back from the railroad tracks. Please keep children and pets in sight and away from the train tracks and out of roadways where vehicles may be traveling to see this event. A little history, it’s one of eight surviving of the original 25 built for Union Pacific and is the only one still operational. The other seven sit on display throughout the country. It has been completely restored and is visiting 12 states on the Union Pacific line to celebrate to 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. This Big Boy is 132 feet long and weighs 1.2 million pounds. It is a four-cylinder, simple articulated monster, created to go around curves easily despite its bulk. It you want a better look, that is the place to be. Visitors will be able to board a rail car and buy souvenirs of both the Big Boy and the Transcontinental Railroad.
