{"id":207674,"date":"2026-07-09T20:34:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T01:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=207674"},"modified":"2026-07-09T20:34:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T01:34:26","slug":"huge-steam-locomotive-to-roll-through-the-area-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2026\/07\/09\/huge-steam-locomotive-to-roll-through-the-area-again\/","title":{"rendered":"Huge steam locomotive to roll through the area again"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Big Boy 4014 won’t come through Van Wert County, but it will make a stop in Continental and roll through Paulding County. Union Pacific photo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

SCOTT TRUXELL\/<\/strong>independent editor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Union Pacific\u2019s historic Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive passed through Continental in early June, it was estimated that between 6,000-7,000 people flocked to the small Putnam County village to get a glimpse of it. Continental is a village of roughly 1,100 people, which made traffic, parking and actually getting near the train challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Boy, the world\u2019s largest steam locomotive with a distinctive Hancock Long-Bell 3-chime steam whistle, will be back in Continental next Wednesday, July 15. It\u2019s scheduled to make a 30-minute whistle-stop between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. near Oak St. and Main St. The time is approximate but regardless, officials believe Wednesday\u2019s stop is expected to attract even more visitors to the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stop is part of the train\u2019s coast-to-coast trip.\u00a0 After stopping in Continental, Big Boy will continue westbound into and through Paulding County, including Payne, but there will be no stops anywhere in Paulding County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those planning on seeing the massive locomotive in Continental or anywhere else as it passes in northwest Ohio should stay back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks. This includes drones. Keep in mind that railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way or private property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Union Pacific\u2019s website, this is the first time Big Boy has steamed across the Mississippi River and through the Ohio Valley since it was built in Schenectady, New York, and delivered to Union Pacific Railroad in 1941.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Boy launched its 2026 coast-to-coast tour on April 10 from downtown Sacramento near historic Milepost 0 \u2013 the site where Central Pacific began construction on the nation\u2019s first transcontinental railroad in 1863.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Boy is being accompanied by several historical passenger cars from Union Pacific\u2019s Heritage Fleet<\/u><\/a>, along with two commemorative locomotives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n