This information comes courtesy of the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission – 

Once again, Big Boy engine 4014 is heading across Wyoming and will be in Evanston on Wednesday, July 3, at approximately 2 p.m. The massive engine will stay overnight and leave on Independence Day, headed for Ogden, Utah.

In 2019, when the Big Boy came to Evanston for two days in the summer, more than 4,000 visitors from across the nation and world came to see him.

This time, the Big Boy will stay for less than one day, but the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will host Big Boy Bash at the Evanston Machine Shop, from noon to 8 p.m. on July 3.

There will be a bouncy house for children, food and gift vendors, blacksmith demonstrations, hourly tours of Evanston’s switch engine 4420 and an opportunity to ride on the turntable for a $1 fee. HPC will sell tickets for the turntable rides, along with many gift items and prints of artist Shane Stokes’ rendition of Union Pacific engines 4420 and 815.

Engine 815, often called Big Jumbo, was the only steam locomotive built in Wyoming — and it was built in Evanston. Stokes also donated two large framed paintings of the two engines, and HPC will sell raffle tickets at the bash. Drawings for the winners of the paintings will be on Dec. 23.

Bearded Boombox Productions will be on hand with fun music and entertainment.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the restoration of switch engine 4420 and the costs of moving and installing the Wahsatch water tower at the railyards. Donations are always welcome and should be sent to the nonprofit RRINC (Roundhouse Restoration Inc.) at P.O. Box 409, Evanston, WY 82931.