Big Boy's Colorado adventure

• Big Boy's tour began in the spring and has included major display events and 50-plus whistle stops and visits.

Why it matters: Have you seen this thing?

• It's the world's largest operating steam locomotive, stretching 133 feet long. It's also 17 feet tall.
• The aptly named Big Boy weighs roughly 1.2 million pounds.

Fun fact: That's about 5,530 Bo Nixes.

• Or 4,225 Nicola Jokics.

Catch up quick: No. 4014 is one of 25 Big Boys that Union Pacific built to haul heavy freight during World War II.

• It retired in 1961 after logging more than 1 million miles.
• Big Boy returned to service in 2019 after a multiyear restoration.

Flashback: Arapahoe County's railroad history runs deep.

• The Kansas Pacific Railroad reached present-day Byers in 1870 before connecting with westbound tracks near present-day Strasburg.
• That connection gave Denver a direct rail link east.

Plan ahead: Admission is free, though Union Pacific says safety perimeters may limit close-up views at Monday's Strasburg stop.

What's next: Big Boy heads to a private Denver event Tuesday, rolls into Greeley on Wednesday, and returns home to Cheyenne that night.