Union Pacific Big Boy 40-14 rolled into Garnett yesterday as over a thousand people gathered at the Olice Street crossing and many more up and down the line as it rolled through town. The largest steam locomotive in the world is on a nationwide tour to celebrate the railroad and the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The Big Boy is one of a kind, the last of the 8 largest engines in the world still operational.
Matt Baker, a member of the Union Pacific Railroad Police was on hand in Garnett. Over the noise of the engine, he says it is a thrill to be able to follow the engine as it makes it’s way across Kansas and the nation. He says the crowds always seem to be more enthusiastic in the smaller towns, like Garnett.
As the crowd of people gathered round the train, taking family pictures and selfies, Baker worked to try and keep them back a bit. As Big Boy belched out clouds of steam and superheated water, he warned that the train is actually hot to touch because of steam buildup and pressure the massive machine is under.
