GERING -- Crowds gathered in anticipation of the historic lurching, steam and whistle blowing as the Big Boy No. 4014 left Gering this morning.

Gering was the locomotive's third stop on this year's tour.

The locomotive is scheduled to tour east where it will spend a few days in Omaha as part of the "Home Run Express Tour."

"It's a pretty cool experience we shouldn't miss. We're not necessarily train fans. My cousin-in-law is a big train buff, so he's the one who told us we better get over here," said Chris Karnine of Angora. 

Another couple were in the area and heard about the 4014's stop and included it on their agenda.

"We're from Buffalo, Wyo. We just heard about it and we've been in the area for a wedding," said Deb Chase.

She added her husband is the real train fan in the home.

Troy Stubby, originally from Gering and now Denver, proved himself a fan of the Big Boy No. 4014. He admits he's a fan of trains, especially steam locomotives.

"I followed it from Cheyenne to Albin to LaGrange to here I'm heading to North Platte today

The Big Boy No. 4014 left Cheyenne, Wyo., today. It will make whistle-stops in Wyoming and Nebraska before returning to its home base in July 3.

The public will be allowed to see the Big Boy locomotive up close while on display in Omaha at Union Pacific's Home Plate next to Charles Schwaub Field. The locomotive will be available noon to 6 p.m. June 15-21, and June 24-25.

 Thursday stops include Broadwater, Lemoyne and overnighting in North Platte.

Saturday the train leaves North Platte with scheduled stops in Cozad, Kearney and Grand Island.  Sunday morning the Big Boy 4014 leaves Grand Island for Columbus, Fremont and overnighting in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Big Boy leaves Council Bluffs June 14 for Omaha through June 21, and leaving westbound June 27 with a scheduled stop in Sidney July 2.