Omaha, Nebraska: Giant Locomotives

Not only a Union Pacific Big Boy, "the largest steam train engine ever built," but also Centennial No. 6900, "the largest and most powerful diesel-electric locomotive ever built."

Lauritzen Garden

Address:: 100 Bancroft St., Omaha, NE
Directions:: Visible (but inaccessible) on the north side of I-80. To get up close, take I-80 exit 452 (eastbound) or 454 (westbound). Turn north onto 13th St. and then make the second right onto Bancroft St. Drive to the end and park at Lauritzen Gardens. A sidewalk and stairway lead from the parking lot to the engines.
Phone:: 402-346-4002
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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Visitor Tips and News About Giant Locomotives

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Trains.

Giant Locomotives

Whether you love trains or not, this is a cool place to stop and visit. You can get right up next to the locomotives fora closer look at them if you wish. You're also very high up, and can see for a long way into the city below.

[Matt Ritzler, 10/19/2022]

Big Boy engine.

Union Pacific Big Boy

There were only 25 "Big Boy" articulated steam locomotives built, all between 1941 and 1944, at the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York. They each weighed 1.25 million pounds. Engine UP4012 is at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania; Engine UP4014 was restored and returned to the rails during 2019 (the only one still running); and Engine UP4023 is parked here, next to "The Centennial" UP6900 diesel locomotive.

[Jon Morgan, 01/18/2020]

Union Pacific Big Boy.

Union Pacific Big Boy

Union Pacific Big Boy. There's also #4203, an older engine model set adjacent to UP6900!

[C A, 05/17/2015]

Big Boy.

Union Pacific Big Boy

Two huge diesel engines off the I-80 in Omaha, Nebraska. You can only get to the trains from the botanical gardens' parking lot which closes at night. Also it has the "golden spike" to signify where the Union Pacific started the transcontinental railroad.

[Melissa, 03/30/2011]

Don Jankiewicz points out that the photo with this tip is of a diesel engine, not a Big Boy steam locomotive.

Union Pacific's Big Boy

Union Pacific's large steam engine, "Big Boy" and a more modern diesel counterpart have been moved from Kennefick Park, which was located on Abbott Drive, but is no more. The "Big Boy" is now located at Lauritzen Gardens, the city's botanical gardens, just east of Tenth and Bancroft. Just go to Tenth and Bancroft, about a mile south of downtown, off Tenth Street, turn east, and take Bancroft to where it ends. This is the entrance to Lauritzen Gardens.

[Don Fraysier, 10/22/2005]

Not only Big Boy, but also Centennial No. 6900, "the largest and most powerful diesel-electric locomotive ever built." America's railroad champions, together at last....