This summer, I had the privilege to witness UP 4014, Union Pacific's restored "Big Boy" 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive, ply the rails of the UP mainline once again, this time leading the "Heartland of America" tour through the states of Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. My portion of the trip consisted of traveling to Grand Island, NE and chasing it back east towards Chicagoland and eventually Momence, IL, where I gave up the chase. After 4014 yarded in Boone for the night, I explored the area for a bit. I found this steam engine and car on the south side of town welcoming visitors to the area. Per Wikipedia, the locomotive is former Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railway #17, which is in too poor a condition to operate on excursions, so now it acts as a welcome sign.
