What to know about the Springfield visit
On Saturday, July 18, Union Pacific’s historic steam locomotive, Big Boy No. 4014, will make a brief stop in Springfield. The locomotive is scheduled to arrive at the Amtrak depot at 10:45 a.m. and depart at 11:15 a.m.. There is no admission fee and no tickets required to view the engine from the station area; visitors are not permitted to go inside the locomotive.
The appearance is part of a coast‑to‑coast tour coordinated by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and to showcase the continued role of freight rail in the U.S. economy. The trip included stops on the East Coast and recently featured the locomotive at high‑profile events such as the America250 Block Party in Philadelphia.
Brief history and specs
Built in 1941, No. 4014 is the last operating example of the Union Pacific "Big Boy" class. The locomotives were originally commissioned to haul heavy wartime freight and typically worked routes between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Key numbers for the engine: 133 feet in length and roughly 1.2 million pounds in weight.
"The railroads are connecting communities and highlighting the continued importance of freight rail to the U.S. economy," according to the railroads' release about the tour.
Visitor information and nearby stops
- Location: Springfield Amtrak Depot
- Date and times: Saturday, July 18 — arrival 10:45 a.m., departure 11:15 a.m.
- Admission: Free; no tickets required
- Access: Public viewing only; interior access to the locomotive is not allowed
If you cannot make the Springfield stop, the tour continues in the region. The next scheduled stop after Springfield is in Girard, Illinois, at noon on July 18. The locomotive will also be displayed in St. Louis on Sunday, July 19, at Union Station (1820 Market St.), with the display running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Schedule snapshot
| City | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield (Amtrak Depot) | July 18 | Arrive 10:45 a.m. — Depart 11:15 a.m. |
| Girard | July 18 | Noon |
| St. Louis (Union Station) | July 19 | Display 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. |
The Springfield stop offers a short window for viewing, so residents and visitors planning to attend should allow time for parking and pedestrian traffic near the depot. For further details and frequently asked questions about the tour, Union Pacific’s website has additional information on schedules and safety guidelines.
