Locomotive Lovers Turn Out For 'Big Boy' Stops In Oklahoma

People across Green Country lined up along the tracks for the chance to see the Union Pacific locomotive known as “Big Boy.” The train had stops in McAlester, Muskogee, and Claremore.

Spectators said they were not going to miss the chance to see the Big Boy.

“There’s nothing else like it in the world,” said Jonathan Buchholz, who traveled from Fort Worth to McAlester.

The train left McAlester for Muskogee on Monday morning, where hundreds of people lined up for its arrival.

“This doesn’t happen very often,” said Michaela Perkins of Muskogee. “I missed it the last time, so I just made sure I was out here this time to catch the excitement.”

The city received a sign from Union Pacific, which plans to display it in a museum.

“Union Pacific called us about three weeks ago and told us they were doing this Visit America tour,” said William Lowe, executive director of Visit Muskogee. “We were one of the recipients, and we’ve been tickled to death ever since.”

Down the tracks, some in Wagoner expected the Big Boy to make a stop there. However, it roared right through town.

“When they come through this Bulldog town, they’re supposed to stop at this Bulldog town,” said Sheila Parker-McCormick of Wagoner.

The Big Boy also passed through Claremore to round out its stops in Oklahoma. It next heads to Kansas and Missouri.