Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
VALPARAISO, Ind. — The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. It made a rare journey through the country this summer in celebration of America’s 250th. It was the first time that Big Boy steamed across the Mississippi River and into the Ohio Valley.
Lansing Journal reporter Carrie Steinweg captured the giant train in Valparaiso, IN, on Campbell Street, just north of U.S. 30 on Thursday, July 17 at 2 p.m. From here it continued on through northwest Indiana, parking in South Holland, Illinois, overnight before departing at 9 a.m. on July 18 to Dwight, Illinois.
Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence, No. 4014 is the only one still in operation. Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, with the first delivered in 1941 to support the war effort.
The massive steam locomotives, which are 133 feet long and 1.2 million pounds, were built to haul heavy equipment between Ogden, UT, and Cheyenne, WY. No. 4014 was retired in December 1961 after traveling over one million miles. It was re-acquired by Union Pacific after spending time in the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, CA.
Read the full story at thelansingjournal.org
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Make sure you receive all the local news The Lansing Journal publishes, not just the videos! Subscribe to The Lansing Journal's Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
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The questionable politics of Thornton Township Supervisors Tiffany Henyard and now Napoleon Harris brought new viewers and subscribers to our channel, and we appreciate their interest in our local politics. But most of the news that happens in Lansing and other parts of Thornton Township is much less dramatic, though just as important. The Lansing Journal serves a diverse community and offers a diverse range of news — stories that are often overlooked by larger media. If you are interested in what local news looks like, subscribe to The Lansing Journal:
• Our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
• Our Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit newsroom, and we depend on support from viewers and readers in order to provide the journalism our community deserves. Visit the Donate page on our website to make a tax-deductible donation: thelansingjournal.org/donate
Every dollar goes directly into the journalism and helps support this local newspaper as we serve our community.
MISSION
The Lansing Journal is the only newspaper in Lansing, Illinois. Our mission is Building Community, and we fulfill that mission by keeping our diverse community informed and connected through local independent news that is freely accessible.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
VALPARAISO, Ind. — The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. It made a rare journey through the country this summer in celebration of America’s 250th. It was the first time that Big Boy steamed across the Mississippi River and into the Ohio Valley.
Lansing Journal reporter Carrie Steinweg captured the giant train in Valparaiso, IN, on Campbell Street, just north of U.S. 30 on Thursday, July 17 at 2 p.m. From here it continued on through northwest Indiana, parking in South Holland, Illinois, overnight before departing at 9 a.m. on July 18 to Dwight, Illinois.
Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence, No. 4014 is the only one still in operation. Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, with the first delivered in 1941 to support the war effort.
The massive steam locomotives, which are 133 feet long and 1.2 million pounds, were built to haul heavy equipment between Ogden, UT, and Cheyenne, WY. No. 4014 was retired in December 1961 after traveling over one million miles. It was re-acquired by Union Pacific after spending time in the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, CA.
Read the full story at thelansingjournal.org
=====
Make sure you receive all the local news The Lansing Journal publishes, not just the videos! Subscribe to The Lansing Journal's Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
=========
The questionable politics of Thornton Township Supervisors Tiffany Henyard and now Napoleon Harris brought new viewers and subscribers to our channel, and we appreciate their interest in our local politics. But most of the news that happens in Lansing and other parts of Thornton Township is much less dramatic, though just as important. The Lansing Journal serves a diverse community and offers a diverse range of news — stories that are often overlooked by larger media. If you are interested in what local news looks like, subscribe to The Lansing Journal:
• Our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
• Our Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit newsroom, and we depend on support from viewers and readers in order to provide the journalism our community deserves. Visit the Donate page on our website to make a tax-deductible donation: thelansingjournal.org/donate
Every dollar goes directly into the journalism and helps support this local newspaper as we serve our community.
MISSION
The Lansing Journal is the only newspaper in Lansing, Illinois. Our mission is Building Community, and we fulfill that mission by keeping our diverse community informed and connected through local independent news that is freely accessible.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
