On June 2, 2026, something extraordinary is rolling into downtown Sterling—both literally and historically. Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014, the largest operating steam locomotive in the world, will make a special whistlestop right here in our community. It’s more than just a train visit—it’s a moment that connects past, present, and future along the very tracks that helped shape Sterling into what it is today.
WHO: Big Boy No. 4014
WHAT: Whistlestop on it’s 2026 Coast-to-Coast Tour
WHEN: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 1:30-2:00 PM
WHERE: Avenue B Crossing (Avenue B at Wallace Street, near the Sterling Marketplace)
Plan your Whistlestop visit to Sterling!
We’ll be kicking off the festivities at 11:00 AM at the Sterling Marketplace as we anxiously await Big Boy’s arrival!
Feel free to bring a lawn chair, wear comfy shoes and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Will there be food and drinks?
– Yes! We will have food trucks and beverage vendors at the Sterling Marketplace beginning at 11AM the day of the stop. The pavilion is located at 111 W 2nd Street, Sterling, IL 61081. Note: This area will be closed to vehicle traffic, and open to pedestrians only.
We also encourage you to visit our local downtown restaurants, just a short walk away. Find the pavilion and local downtown eateries on the event map!
Confirmed onsite Food Vendors:
- Main Squeeze
- Kona Ice
- J & M Sweet Treats
- Diosa’s Mexican Cuisine
- The Smashing Cow
- Sterling Theater (movie theater popcorn)
- Twin City Confectionary (cheese corn, caramel corn, and more)
What’s the parking situation?
– There is an abundance of parking throughout the downtown Sterling area – a mix of on-street and public lots. See the above map for reference. There are also a handful of restricted private lots for area businesses, please be mindful of posted signage.
Is Handicap Parking available?
– Yes. A VERY LIMITED number of handicap spots are being set aside in the parking lot south of the Twin City Farmers Market (106 Ave A, Sterling, IL 61081). You MUST have a handicap placard VISBILY displayed on your vehicle. An attendant will be working the lot and restricting access to vehicles without displayed placards. This will be available only on a first come, first served basis.
Will there be seating available?
Feel free to bring a lawn chair, but please be mindful and respectful when saving seats.
Is there an alternate plan for bad weather?
– Unfortunately, No. The Big Boy 4014 will stop in Sterling, IL on June 2nd rain or shine. Please plan accordingly. The event will be outside and mostly uncovered. We recommend you wear weather appropriate attire, and rain gear or sun protection as needed.
We want to remember this forever! Will there be merch?
– Yes! SHOP HERE NOW to order – T-shirts, sweatshirts and Youth options available! Pickup will be available at the Sterling Marketplace on the day of the event.
Train Tourism in Sterling, IL
– We get it! It’s 2:01pm and you are so sad it’s over. Well, you’re in luck! Sterling, IL is proud to hold Union Pacific’s Train Town USA designation, and we have more train tourism opportunities for you!
Train Viewing Locations
Martin’s Landing and Sinnissippi Dam – 10th Ave and 2nd Street
The Dillon Home Museum – 1005 E 3rd Street
Train Engine and Northwestern Steel and Wire Train Cars
Train Murals (and other historic murals) throughout the downtown:
“Sterling, Dixon and Eastern Electric Railway” – First Avenue and E 3rd Street, East Wall
“Pioneer Steam Engine” – W 2nd Street (Parking Lot between Locust St & Ave A)
More to Explore in Downtown Sterling
While you’re here, be sure to explore all that downtown Sterling as to offer.
- Visit COLOR ME HAPPY for a $20 Build-a-Pet Special and featuring a supply of train conductor outfits!
**Important Safety Information**
We want everyone to enjoy the Sterling, IL Whistlestop for Big Boy No. 4014 safely. Both the North and South tracks will be active on the day of the Whistlestop. All tracks, trestles, and right-of-way’s are Union Pacific private property. Please stay back 25ft at all times, and NEVER enter the tracks. For Union Pacific’s full safety regulations for their historic Steam Program, please visit the link: https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/safety
A Living Legend on the Rails
Built in the early 1940s, Big Boy No. 4014 was designed to haul heavy freight across the steep grades of the Wasatch Mountains between Utah and Wyoming. At over 132 feet long and weighing more than 1.2 million pounds, it is a marvel of engineering and a symbol of American industrial strength. Only 25 Big Boy locomotives were ever built, and today, No. 4014 is the only one still in operation—a moving piece of history that continues to inspire awe wherever it travels.
After decades of retirement, Union Pacific restored No. 4014 to working condition in 2019, allowing new generations to experience the power, sound, and presence of steam railroading firsthand. Its whistle stop in Sterling is part of a larger journey to celebrate rail heritage—and we’re honored to be on the map.
Sterling: A Proud Train Town USA
This visit carries even deeper meaning following Sterling’s recent designation as a Train Town USA by Union Pacific. This recognition highlights communities with deep-rooted railroad heritage—places where the railroad didn’t just pass through, but helped build the foundation of local life.
For Sterling, the railroad has long been more than steel and ties. It brought jobs, fueled industry, and connected our city to the wider world. Our downtown, in particular, grew as a hub of commerce and community—where goods arrived, businesses flourished, and people gathered. Generations of residents have lived, worked, and built their lives within earshot of the tracks.
Reframing the Rails
It’s true—living near an active rail line can come with its challenges. The whistles, the wait at crossings, the occasional disruption to a daily routine—these are realities many in our community know well. But events like this remind us of something bigger.
Those same tracks represent opportunity, resilience, and connection. They tell the story of how Sterling grew from a small settlement into a thriving community. They supported the industries that defined our economy and brought people together in our downtown for generations.
Rather than something to work around, the railroad is something to embrace—a defining part of our identity that continues to shape our future.
A Moment to Celebrate
The arrival of Big Boy No. 4014 is a rare and unforgettable occasion. It’s a chance to stand trackside and feel the ground rumble beneath your feet, to hear the echo of a steam whistle that once defined an era, and to share in a collective experience that bridges generations.
Whether you’re a lifelong railfan, a history enthusiast, or simply curious to see something truly remarkable, this whistle stop is for you.
Join us in downtown Sterling on June 2nd as we celebrate not just a train, but the enduring legacy of the railroad—and the role it continues to play in making Sterling a place we’re proud to call home.
All aboard, Sterling. 
