STEAMING THROUGH TIME Agriculture and American railroads have depended on each other since the 1800s when hopeful pioneers ventured west to claim their homesteads and shape a brighter future for their families. This summer, Union Pacifi c Railroad celebrated that shared past and the 150th anniversary of completing the Transcontinental Railroad with a whistle-stop tour of the Midwest featuring Big Boy No. 4014, a restored steam locomotive. The 1.2-million-pound engine entered service in December 1941 and traveled more than 1.03 million miles in its 20 years on the rails. The importance of rail transportation became clear again this year as spring fl ooding shut down barge tra c and tons of fertilizer had to be diverted to railcars to head north to waiting crop acres. The need to continue moving grain and inputs e ciently makes the viability of America’s rail infrastructure a continued concern. — Cynthia Clanton SEE MORE: Find more photos and stats at chsinc.com/c. Big Boy No. 4014, a restored Union Pacifi c locomotive, steamed across the Midwest this summer, delighting train bu s and recalling the vital role rail transportation has played in America’s economy. Your CHS Connection 17
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