Iowa

‘Big Boy’ steam train to roll through Eastern Iowa

Published

1 year ago

September 5, 2024

Press Room

‘Big Boy’ steam train to roll through Eastern Iowa

BELLE PLAINE, Iowa (KCRG) – Big Boy is coming to town.

For those not in the know, that’s the world’s largest steam train.

Big Boy Number No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in 1941. It was retired in 1961 and returned to service in 2019. It made a trip through Iowa that year, and now it’s rolling through once again.

A Marion man and train enthusiast watched the train’s journey five years ago. He said he plans to witness the wonder all over again.

“The engineer saw us, blew the the whistle, which is—makes your heart beat like crazy,” said Mark Weiser of the last time he saw the train.

“It is a bygone era. Even though I’m old, steam engines were gone by the time I was born in ‘48. There were just a few around. You don’t see much of them today, so it’s unique. It’s historical.”

Wesier is far from the only person who has this fascination.

Stephen Beck, City Administrator for Belle Plaine, said there were around 1,000 people watching Big Boy when it paid a visit in 2019.

City officials expect a similar crowd this time around.

“We’re going to try to over prepare,” he said. “We have some extra law enforcement. The railroad has special agents and security detail that follow the train.”

Beck said he hoped, with Big Boy fans coming to town, nearby businesses would get a boost. He didn’t have any specific projections about what he hoped the financial impact would be. Overall, he said he just wanted people to enjoy the train while being safe.

“Remember the safety precautions that the railroad has put out to stay at least 25 feet away from the tracks.”

Weiser said he was planning to keep those safety precautions in mind while getting to see a piece of history go by.

“If you can share it or experience it, it’s going to be something you’re not going to forget,” said Wesier.

Big Boy travels from Boone to Cedar Rapids on Sept. 5. In the middle of that trip, the train will stop in Belle Plaine around 12:15 p.m. Big Boy will leave Cedar Rapids at 9:00 a.m. Friday.

You can see Big Boy’s full schedule here.

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Iowa

Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

Published

7 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

MANCHESTER, Iowa — The state of Iowa lost a titan of the prep coaching world this week. Former Kee High School baseball coach Gene Schultz died on Monday at the age of 80.

Schultz spent 45 seasons as the baseball coach at Kee, helping turn the program into an Iowa dynasty. He won 9 State championships (not counting 2 fall titles, which the IHSAA doesn’t recognize in the record books), and took the Hawks to 19 State tournaments, which is also the most in Iowa history.

His 1,754 wins are not only the most in Iowa history, but the most of any high school baseball coach in the country.

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Iowa

Judge calls state response to comments about Charlie Kirk ‘deeply troubling’

Published

19 hours ago

February 26, 2026

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Judge calls state response to comments about Charlie Kirk ‘deeply troubling’

“A licensing authority’s enforcement apparatus should not be mobilized in response to political pressure to suppress disfavored commentary on a public figure’s death — and this record raises serious questions about whether that is precisely what occurred here,” a federal judge wrote.

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Iowa

Iowa State falls to Oklahoma State on senior night

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Iowa State falls to Oklahoma State on senior night

AMES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa State women’s basketball team was outscored 28-17 in the fourth quarter, falling behind and losing to Oklahoma State 88-77.

The Cyclones celebrated their lone senior, Sydney Harris, who had 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from behind the arc.

Jada Williams and Audi Crooks each tallied 19 points to lead the Cyclones.

Iowa State drops to 21-8 on the season, 9-8 in Big 12 play.

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