A Union Pacific train creeps along slowly westward at Gibbon, Neb., as flood waters touch the base of the track ballast. Flood waters and poor operating conditions have forced the railroad to keep UP Big Boy No. 4014 at the North Platte, Neb., yard until further notice.
Jim Wrinn
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Due to rising water levels, Big Boy No. 4014 will remain in North Platte “until further notice.” That’s the latest word from Union Pacific, via its @UP_Steam Twitter account.
The railroad had planned to run No. 4014 on Wednesday from North Platte to Grand Island instead of Thursday due to flooding in Central Nebraska. The locomotive was originally scheduled to make the run east on Thursday following a day off in North Platte.
The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings Buffalo and Hall counties, which are along the UP main line. The Grand Island Independent reports some areas in central Nebraska have received more than 8 inches of rain since Monday.
Trains News Wire is following this developing situation.
–Updated 12:25 p.m.
