Historic steam locomotive overnights in Prescott
PRESCOTT – Traffic on Hwy. 67 practically came to a standstill Tuesday afternoon when the historic steam locomotive “Big Boy 4014” arrived in Prescott.
The train spent the night in Prescott and was guarded by officers of the Prescott Police Department, along with agents from the Union Pacific Railroad Police. Train enthusiasts, history buffs and the curious gathered at the Nevada Depot and Museum for the event.
More than 100 people braved the cold weather to get a glimpse of as well as photograph the historic locomotive. Prescott’s Kiwanis Club parked cars at the lot across from the museum, while visitors also filled the lots at the old Dollar General Store and the former location of the Nevada County Extension Service. The Rotary Club provided snacks, coffee and cocoa to help keep visitors warm when they went inside the museum. The Prescott High School band was also on hand to perform.
Both sides of Olive Street were blocked from through traffic, but it didn’t stop people from gathering and using the lot at Jerry’s Body Shop to park and watch for the train. Officers told those gathered to stay back from the tracks for safety reasons. Part of the reason was to protect the public from the possibility of debris flying up from the tracks, as well making sure no one was hit by the massive locomotive.
The rail police were polite, yet firm, in letting people who insisted on getting on the tracks for pictures after the Big Boy stopped, telling them to get off the tracks or they’d be removed. Quite a few people showed up with their cameras to get pictures of the train, while others just used the cameras on their phones.
Only eight such locomotives still exist today with the 4014 the only operating Big Boy. In May, this engine made the trip to Ogden, Utah for UP’s 150th anniversary ceremony. The Big Boy and Living Legend 844 met nose-to-nose at Promontory Point Summit where the golden spike was driven to complete the transcontinental railroad.
Several people gathered on the Howard Taylor Overpass to get a glimpse of the train. The Big Boy followed a modern diesel locomotive into Prescott. However, while the 4014 was shunted to a side rail, another train emerged through the steam giving the impression the Big Boy was coming into town. When it came into view, no one was disappointed as the majestic locomotive slowly approached the station, steam coming from the side and top of the engine. Everyone also got to hear the steam whistle as the locomotive came into town.
The 4014 left Cheyenne, WY on Sept. 27, making stops along the UP’s southwest corridor in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah, before returning to Cheyenne on Nov. 27 when it will be retired. The trip will have taken two months to complete.
