As the City of Carroll gears up for an historical, 150 year anniversary celebration, another piece of history will be making its way across the state, with two stops in Carroll. The Union Pacific Railroad is also celebrating their sesquicentennial, and they will be putting the world’s largest steam locomotive on the tracks for a “Great Race across the Midwest.” The newly restored Big Boy No. 4014 will make a stop in Carroll on Monday, July 15 and again on Friday, Aug. 2. Twenty-five of the Big Boys were built exclusively for the Union Pacific Railroad and the first was delivered in 1941 to handle the steep terrain between Cheyenne and Ogden. Only eight of these still exist and 4014 is the only one in operation. “The transcontinental railroad forever changed our country, uniting the nation and igniting economic growth that is still evident today,” says Scott Moore, senior vice president of corporate relations and chief administrative officer. “There’s still no bigger way to honor this milestone than bringing the Big Boy back to life and giving people an opportunity to share this historic moment.” The train will also make stops in Des Moines and Omaha, Neb. The Big Boy will be at the Carroll Depot from 12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 15 and from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Aug. 2.
