Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 will embark on "The Big Boy 2021 Tour" on August 5 to celebrate railroad heritage and the communities Union Pacific serves. Its final stop will be in Denver over Labor Day weekend.
This is the first tour since the locomotive was restored for 2019's "Great Race" tours celebrating the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. The multi-year restoration took place at Union Pacific’s steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, following a retirement that spanned six decades.
"Weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, the Big Boy makes a big impression in communities it visits, reminding us of bygone days and the important role the railroad continues to play in our global economy," said Scott Moore, Senior Vice President – Corporate Relations and Chief Administrative Officer. "This summer, we are proud to announce that the Big Boy will be back to tour through ten of the states and hundreds of the communities which Union Pacific serves."
No. 4014 will leave the Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on August 5, making brief whistle-stops in communities across Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Illinois, and Colorado before returning home to Wyoming.
The locomotive will be on display in the following cities:
- Saturday, August 14: Fort Worth, Texas
- Tuesday, August 17: Houston, Texas
- Saturday, August 21: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Sunday, August 29: St. Louis, Missouri
- Monday, September 6 (Labor Day): Denver, Colorado
No. 4014 is scheduled to pull into Union Station at 7:00 PM on Sunday, September 5, and will be on display from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM on Monday, September 6.
In addition to day-long display hours, display days include access to the Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car, a multi-media walk-through exhibition that provides a glimpse at the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading. Admission to display days is free (no tickets required); parking is free at a metered space or multi-space section in downtown Denver on Sundays and certain City holidays, including Labor Day.
Please note that due to its historic nature, Union Pacific's Heritage Passenger Fleet equipment — including the Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car — is not ADA accessible.
No. 4014 will return to Cheyenne following the Denver stop. A complete list of overnight and whistle stops is available at www.up.com/heritage/steam. Fans interested in getting the latest news and schedule updates can join the Union Pacific Steam Club at up.com/SteamClub.
During World War II, Union Pacific operated some of the most modern and powerful steam locomotives ever built. Among them were the famous "Big Boys," the largest steam locomotives in the world.
Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific, the first of which was delivered in 1941 to handle the steep terrain between Cheyenne and Ogden. Of the eight still in existence, No. 4014 is the world's only operating Big Boy. The other seven can be found on display in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Denver, Colorado; Frisco, Texas; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Scranton, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri.
Union Pacific strongly encourages visitors to keep safety top of mind while viewing and photographing No. 4014 on its journey. For everyone's safety:
- Remember, trains can't stop quickly to avoid people or vehicles on the tracks.
- A train's distance and speed can be deceiving.
- The average train overhangs the track by at least three feet – take extra precaution and stand back at least 25 feet.
- Railroad tracks, trestles, yards, and right of way are private property.
- Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive – always expect a train.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable, and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.
