Big Boy Arrives in StL Tonight

Is there someplace I could see it coming into St. Louis ?  I would drive up to an hour out of St. Louis to see it.  I also plan on seeing it in Pacific Monday.

It is coming up the Illinois side on Saturday, through Chester, Illinois.   So it will have to cross the Mississippi River to get to parking spot in St. Louis.   That will mean crossing the McArthur bridge and you could certainly see it there, depending on time, etc.

Thanks for the reply

Keith, maybe I'll see you in Pacific on Monday.  I plan on watching the Big Boy climb Kirkwood hill.  Along W. Lockwood seems a good place.  The stop at Kirkwood station should give me time to get to Sherman beach along the Al Foster trail.  The front steps of Sacred Heart Church in Valley Park would also make a nice spot.  The tracks are up high and there are no trees in the way.  Since I work in Pacific, seeing the engine off will be my last stop before going back to work.  If I wasn't working I would chase it out to Herman and have lunch at Stone Hill winery.

-Nathan

I caught it a couple of times near St. Louis. First video was between Valmeyer and Columbia, IL. The second is pulling out of the Kirkwood, Mo station.

I would love to see some more photos and videos as it makes its way out to Pacific and beyond if you guys catch it out there!

I wish there were more pics.  I was out of town when it came through.  I was at my auto body shop today (in St. Louis).  Apparently, the owner is a train guy.  He chased it from Chester, IL up to Dupo.  Then he saw it cross the bridge (I think he said it was the Merchants Bridge), at the riverfront under the Arch, and finally at Union Station.  He said there were thousands of people there at Union Station.  I'm not into trains (only model trains) but I would have made an exception for that!

My family lived in Afton, Grandmother in Kirkwood, other family in St. Louis and we had club house on the Meramac River near Opeechee Beach Rd, Pacific, MO.

We used to see trains in Pacificin the 1950s but none like the Big Boy and enjoyed seeing the 4014 Plaquemine, LA on a Bacile bridge last week.

St. Louis has the great Union Station and the National Museum of Transportation, both super visit for real train fans.

Charlie