Westward Bound Tour
During the first week of July, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014, as it passed through Gerlach, Nevada on it’s 2024 Westward Bound Tour. The world’s largest operating steam locomotive traveled from Wyoming to California, and featured one extremely special tour segment: the Union Pacific Museum‘s sold-out passenger trip from Roseville to Sparks. Offered as a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization and a rare opportunity to travel under the power of this historic piece of machinery.
The average diesel freight locomotive here in the US weighs over 400,000 pounds and is approximately 75 feet long.
The “Big Boy,” one of only 25 built exclusively for Union Pacific weighs 1.2 million pounds, and is 132 feet long.
According to the US Census, Gerlach has a population of 130 people. The crowd I saw that afternoon was easily double that. Every business in town, and the neighboring town of Empire paused their day to watch the train roll through. Employees and volunteers at nearby ranches headed into town to be part of the fuss that everyone had already been talking about for days. My friends and I were no exception, delaying our departures for a chance to see the historic train.
The Big Boy’s stop in Gerlach wasn’t a long one. 15 minutes for maintenance. Which, in a town like Gerlach was more than enough time for everyone to get a close look, snap pictures, and visit with each other!
I count myself lucky to have been able to be there. Not only because of my personal relationship with that town…but because small towns stops allow for a proximity and intimacy that large cities often don’t. I stood on the tracks right in front of that train, and I wasn’t alone. Everyone was friendly and courteous of each other’s attempts to get the best photo. There were no lines, no barriers. Police yes, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves too. These days, that’s such a rare experience, don’t you think!?!
It’s experiences like that, that I treasure most. If you have an amazing train experience, feel free to share it here.