Big Boy No. 4014 Steam Engine’s 250th Anniversary Stops Announced

Union Pacific is putting Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, back on the tracks to celebrate the America’s Semiquincentennial.

The western route of the first-ever coast-to-coast steam tour led by the legendary Big Boy No. 4014, the only one of eight remaining Big Boys that are still in existence, begins Sunday, March 29. The steam locomotive leaves its home base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and heads west through Utah, Nevada and California before it returns home on April 24.

Details of the eastern leg of the coast-to-coast tour, including whistle-stops and public display days, will be released at a later date. It will represent the first time the train has toured the East Coast.

These massive locomotives, which are 133 feet long and weigh 1.2 million pounds, were built to haul heavy equipment in support of the war effort, normally operating between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

They are emblematic of the critical role of railroads in building and unifying America. Since 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act and created Union Pacific, railroads have connected the nation, driven industrial growth and helped to spark new industries.

Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific. No 4014 was delivered in December 1941 and traveled 1,031,205 miles before it was retired 20 years later.

Union Pacific reacquired the steam engine from a train museum in 2013 and completed restoration in 2019 in time to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion.

Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence today, No. 4014 is the only one still in operation. Traveling behind it on the coast-to-coast tour will be several historical passenger cars from Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet.

Four public display days are planned during the western leg of the tour, with two days each in Roseville, California, April 10-11, and Ogden, Utah, April 18-19.

In addition to the public display days, rail fans can see this historic machine in action at whistle-stops in communities along its journey. Whistle-stops are generally 15- to 30- minutes long.

Wyoming

• March 29 – Laramie
• March 29 – Medicine Bow
• March 30 – Wamsutter
• March 31 – Rock Springs
• April 1 – Green River
• April 21 – Green River
• April 23 – Point of Rocks
• April 23 – Wamsutter
• April 24 – Medicine Bow
• April 24 – Laramie

Utah

• April 2 – Morgan
• April 2 – Salt Lake City
• April 20 – Morgan

Nevada

• April 4 – Wells
• April 6 – Carlin
• April 6 – Battle Mountain
• April 7 – Gerlach
• April 14 – Lovelock
• April 15 – Carlin
• April 15 – Elko
• April 17 – Wells
• April 17 – Montello

California

• April 9 – Oroville
• April 9 – Marysville
• April 9 – Lincoln
• April 12 – Colfax
• April 12 – Truckee

Two commemorative locomotives will also be on tour, including the railroad’s newest, No 1776-America 250, which pays tribute to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the nation. More information about the commemorative locomotive is expected soon.