Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, is making its first tour of the East Coast as part of celebrations leading up to America's 250th birthday.
The locomotive arrived in Illinois this week as part of Union Pacific's America 250 tour, a multi-state journey that will take the historic engine through Indiana, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania before arriving in Philadelphia ahead of Fourth of July celebrations.
Rail enthusiasts lined the tracks in Sterling, Illinois, on Tuesday to watch the locomotive pass through during one of many whistle-stops planned along the route.
"I've always loved trains. It's just the history of it," one visitor told Fox News.
Others traveled across state lines for the chance to see the locomotive in person.
"It's huge. It's beautiful," said Wisconsin resident Brandon Becker.
Big Boy No. 4014 was built in 1941 to haul heavy freight through the mountains of the American West. Union Pacific says 25 America 250 tour includes more than 50 whistle stops and public display events across 10 states.
Inside the cab, crew members monitor pressure, water and fire systems that power the massive steam engine. The locomotive continues to operate using steam technology first developed more than a century ago while drawing crowds of modern-day rail enthusiasts at each stop.
For many visitors, the attraction is equal parts engineering and history.
"Stirring patriotic feelings in me, that's for sure," John Bollig said.
Union Pacific says the eastern leg of the tour is being conducted in partnership with Norfolk Southern and marks the first time Big Boy has traveled to the East Coast.
The tour is scheduled to continue through Pennsylvania before arriving in Philadelphia, where the locomotive will participate in events tied to the nation's semiquincentennial celebration.