Big Boy Largest Steam Locomotive In The World

about this tour

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 Crossing The Vast Open Spaces Of Wyoming With A Solid
Freight Train Of Refers Headed To Market

Union Pacific will join the nation in celebrating 250 years of American independence and innovation this year with its first-ever coast-to-coast steam tour led by the legendary Big Boy No. 4014. The first leg of the tour starts Sunday, March 29, 2026 with the Big Boy and several historical passenger cars from Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet traveling west to California from Cheyenne, Wyoming, the steam locomotive's home base. The first leg of the tour ends Friday, April 24, in Cheyenne.

Two major public display days are set:

Friday/Saturday, April 10-11, 2026: Roseville, California
Sunday, April 19, 2026: Ogden, Utah

A daily schedule with additional stops along with a map of the route will be released closer to the tour's launch. The eastern leg of the tour, anticipated to start in late spring, is still being finalized and will be announced soon.

There will NOT be any passenger excursions offered on the first leg of the tour. Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, will be joined by two commemorative locomotives, including the railroad's newest locomotive: No. 1776 – America250. This new commemorative locomotive pays tribute to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of this nation. The locomotive will feature the emblem of the America250 Semiquincentennial Commission, the national nonpartisan organization established by Congress to lead the nation's 250th anniversary.For the first time, the Big Boy will operate from ocean to ocean running over the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Railroads.

The Union Pacific Big Boy is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive built by Alco between 1941 and 1944 to haul long heavy freight trains over the Wasatch Range between Ogden, Utah and Green River, Wyoming. In later years they worked Sherman Hill out of Cheyenne. The Big Boy is the largest steam locomotive in the world and was not officially retired until 1961.

Today, eight Big Boys survive, with all except one on static display at museums across the United States. No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in November 1941 and has now been put back into operation by Union Pacific in 2019 and is used to tour the entire UP system as a public relations tool. Union Pacific has announced that the last operating Big Boy will again operate on the mainline during the summer of 2026 in celebration of America 250. (In 2026 America will be 250 years old)

Just as soon as Union Pacific announces their 2026 itinerary for this classic steam locomotive we will start making plans to follow on the highway the largest steam locomotive in the world. The railroad has said that the Big Boy will tour much of the UP system in 2026. Also the railroad will not announce their operating plans until the Spring of 2026.

Big Boy 4014 Pulling A Manifest Freight Train Across Wyoming

Once we know the itinerary we will then make plans to follow this special train for spectacular action photography in the Western States. In 2024 when the Big Boy went on tour over much of the UP system we offered several options to follow this steam locomotive for the railfan photographers. We will again repeat these special options in 2026 guided by professional retired railroad employees that know the rail route and all of the good photo locations. In 2024 we offered options of between 5 and 9 days with prices ranging between $2,000 and $3,500 which included all lodging and some meals and a lot of action photography.

Railroad photographic enthusiasts from all over the world will have the opportunity to enjoy the excitement of experiencing the largest steam locomotive in the world operate on the mainline pulling a train at speed! This action packed experience will give you fond memories for many years to come.

Keep in mind just knowing how to drive on the highways and navigate through the many towns along the route while following the Big Boy is important. If you are not from the USA just getting accustom to driving in this country can be challenging. Why take the chance, book with us and enjoy the maximum exposure to the Big Boy for your money. Our guides know what speed the train will be traveling and where it will stop for water and service. That is the advantage of having local guide drivers that are retired from the railroad and know not only the local roads but the railroad routes too.