The residents of Forney have the opportunity to experience railroad history on September 18. The, “Big Boy”, Union Pacific locomotive 4014, will ramble through town as part of its Heart of America Tour. The “Big Boy” was built in the 1940s at a cost of about $250,000.00 and is one of 8 left in existence.
The 4014, “Big Boy”, is the only one to still hit the rails. Its last tour through Texas was in 2021. The locomotive is the heaviest single expansion steam locomotive ever built.
The “Big Boy” arrives in Big Sandy, TX at 1:00 pm at the Pearl St. Crossing. At 1:45 it will continue on its journey to Dallas. After spending the night in Dallas, it will continue its journey toward Houston.
For anyone wanting to see the “Big Boy” up close, here are some other stops that will be available to the public as the train continues its Heart of America Tour. On the 19th, the “Big Boy” will arrive in Mexia at 12:45 pm, at the East Commerce St. Crossing and leave at 1:15 pm. On October 11-12, it will be on display in Fort Worth at 275 Lancaster from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Forney’s history is connected to rail history. In 1873, the community of Brooklyn relocated in order to be in the path of the railroad. When the community requested a post office for the town, they were informed that “Brooklyn” was not available. The community leaders then renamed the town after John W. Forney who was a Director of the Texas and Pacific Railway Company.
The “Big Boy” travels at a speed of 30.6 miles per hour. The distance from Big Sandy to Forney is about 80 miles. Experience a tie to Forney’s railroad past as Union Pacific’s locomotive 4014, “Big Boy”, rolls through town.
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