Union Pacific is sending its “Big Boy” engine — the world’s largest operational steam locomotive — on a tour across 10 states, including Illinois. It will be making an overnight stop in Villa Grove. This is pretty exciting for the 101st District! Learn more about the “Big Boy” tour here.
Big Boy schedule can be found here.
History of Big Boy No. 4014
Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941. The locomotive was retired in December 1961, having traveled 1,031,205 miles in its 20 years in service. Union Pacific reacquired No. 4014 from the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, California, in 2013, and relocated it back to Cheyenne to begin a multi-year restoration process. It returned to service in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s Completion. Read the full article here.
Bringing the Big Boy Back to Life
My Exciting Visit to Villa Grove CUSD 302
It was a pleasure to visit Villa Grove CUSD 302 and speak with the students and staff! I really enjoyed speaking to students about the Preamble of the Constitution, The Tytler Cycle, and much more. Thank you Sara Jones, Dr. Carol Munson, and Shane Phebus for allowing me to visit such a great school!