Colfax Railroad Days to host celebration during Big Boy's planned visit

With Union Pacific Railroad Locomotive 4014 making its return to Placer County, Colfax Railroad Days is hosting the Big Boy Celebration to welcome the locomotive during its stop in Colfax. "A historic train event naturally finds its home in Colfax," said Caroline McCully, president of Colfax Railroad Days. "As a key base during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad through the Sierra Nevadas, Colfax proudly carries the designation 'Train Town USA,' bestowed on us by Union Pacific Railroad." Big Boy was slated to stop in Colfax in 2024 but coasted through the city without its planned stop because of delays caused by a tree falling across the tracks in front of the locomotive. On Sunday, April 12, the 4014 is scheduled to make a 45-minute stop in downtown Colfax during its Coast to Coast Tour celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. "We are honored to continue our longstanding relationship with Union Pacific as we host Big Boy 4014, the Heritage Fleet, and its crews," McCully said. "The city of Colfax owes its very existence to the railroad, and we welcome the opportunity to share that rich history with our community and all who visit." According to McCully, the event will include a kids zone; live music provided by local band Malarkey; food trucks, including Drewskies Tacos, Phat Jerry's Philly and Mini Donut Shack; and vendors to include the Placer Sierra Railroad Heritage Society, local artist Laura Hollingsworth and Joanne Bean-Parkhurst and her Native American crafts. West Coast Trains will have model trains based in Chicago Park and will be giving away HO train cars to kids age 10 and under. The Black Flag Gang, historical gunslinger actors, will also make an appearance. McCully confirmed the Colfax Visitors Center, Colfax Heritage Museum and most downtown businesses will be open during the event. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with Big Boy making its stop from 12-12:45 p.m. Attendees are reminded to stay 25 feet back from the train while it's moving. The opportunity to get close will come once the locomotive comes to a full stop. Parking will be available at Railroad Street, North Main Street behind the freight depot and the Sierra Vista Center on School Street. Handicap parking will be available at US Bank. McCully advised Grass Valley Street, from Oak Avenue to Main Street, will be closed to traffic from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information about the event, including road closures and maps, can be found at facebook.com/events/1584666246137176.