Union Pacific Superintendent Anthony Herrera accompanied the train from Green River to Cheyenne.

(GAZETTE PHOTO/Rana Jones)

Liz Parker, Joe Fagnant and Diane Fagnant pose in front of the Big Boy steam engine that was in town last week.

(GAZETTE PHOTO/Rana Jones)

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KEMMERER — Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, built to conquer mountains, is on tour in five states this summer during its 2024 Westward Bound Tour from Wyoming to California.

This mighty steam locomotive stopped in Kemmerer on Tuesday, July 23, and more than 100 onlookers admired the train and got an up-close look at the 1.1-million-pound marvel.

Big Boy left its home base in Cheyenne, on June 30, traveling across Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California and Idaho during July.

Joe Fagnant and his wife, Diane, both born and raised in Kemmerer, were there to greet the train. Joe is familiar with the rich history of railroading as his grandfather, George Kirkwood Sr., worked for the Union Pacific as an oiler for the trains in Kemmerer. He remembers riding his bike to the railyard in the mornings when he was 12 years old to pick up papers to deliver for the Rock Springs Rocket and the Kemmerer Gazette.

Fagnant said it was neat to see people travel from other locations to greet the Big Boy as well as visit with longtime local friends. The couple was happy to chat with friends Roger and Sharon Costello who were also born and raised in Kemmerer. The Fagnants were all smiles as they posed for a picture by the train with friend Liz Parker who has lived in Kemmerer for over 30 years. 

Anthony Herrera, superintendent for the legendary Big Boy’s journey from Green River to Cheyenne, said, “It’s been great. People enjoy the heritage and history of the Union Pacific Railroad.” 

Part of what makes the train so unique is that it is not automated, being fully manually operated.

Initially to be named “Wasatch” after the mountainous front it would be trekking across, legend has it that an anonymous crew member wrote the name “Big Boy” on the side of the engine in chalk before it departed the station for its maiden journey.

The name stuck, though the Union Pacific scrapped most Big Boys in 1959 in favor of diesel-electric locomotives. Eight steam engines were retained for posterity and displayed around the country. Big Boy No. 4014 is the only operational engine of those remaining.