By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
Southeast Texans had a chance to see a piece of railroad history last week as the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive made its way through the area on a cross-country journey that will end in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Nov. 27.
Along the 12-state path, Union Pacific held public viewings in dozens of cities, including Houston, Spring and Navasota on Friday, Nov. 8. Hundreds of people braved the rainy weather on Friday at the Ellis Street railroad crossing in Spring to await the train’s arrival.
Among those anxiously waiting to see the train was Dennis Rothacker, a Houston-area photographer. For Rothacker, it was a reunion of sorts as he first saw the locomotive 15 years ago at the Pomona Fairgrounds outside of Los Angeles, Calif.
“I was in Pomona for drag races. The drag strip and the railroad museum are on the same grounds. The Big Boy was on display with a couple more steam engines. I still have photos I took from inside the train,” Rothacker said. “I never thought that I would see it again, so this has been wonderful.”
The Big Boy 4014 is one of 25 steam locomotives that were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific. The first of the locomotives was delivered in 1941. Measuring 132 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, Big Boy 4014 was retired in December 1961 with 1,031,205 miles of service, according to Union Pacific’s history.
The locomotive was moved to Wyoming in 2013 to undergo a restoration in anticipation of Union Pacific’s 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion.
To see a Bluebonnet News video of Big Boy 4014 as it rolls out of Spring, click here:
The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 rolls out of Spring, Texas, on Friday, as railroad enthusiasts wave and then head back to their vehicles. 
Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 rolls into Spring on Friday. Hundreds of people turned out to see the old steam locomotive. 
A Union Pacific employee waves to people as the Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive rolls out of Spring, Texas, on Friday, after a brief 15-minute stop at the Ellis St. railroad crossing. 
A rail car honoring George Bush, the 41st president of the United States, is part of the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 train that rolled through Southeast Texas last week, making stops in Houston, Spring and Navasota. 
The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive slowly surges into motion after a 15-minute stop in Spring, Texas, on Friday. 
According to Union Pacific history, the 4014 steam locomotive that came through Southeast Texas last week was one of 25 Big Boy locomotives that were built exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad. 
A train conductor waves to the crowd gathered in Spring, Texas, to see the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive.