Union Pacific plans major Big Boy tour in 2024

Trains News Wire

Union Pacific plans major Big Boy tour in 2024

 

By Trains Staff | November 2, 2023 | Last updated on February 2, 2024

 

Steam locomotive will visit ‘four corners’ of 23-state system

 

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific will send Big Boy No. 4014 on a “Four Corners” tour of its system in 2024, the railroad announced today, including stops in Oregon, California, Texas, and Illinois.

 

“As we move forward at Union Pacific, we remember where we came from; the Big Boy represents the history of Union Pacific and the United States,” Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said in a message to UP’s “Steam Club,” which receives first notification of plans for the 4-8-8-4. “When No. 4014 comes to town, we will celebrate with the communities where we operate, our employees and their families. Together, we will marvel at how far technology has brought us.”

 

Anticipated stops include Chicago; Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston; Salt Lake City; Portland, Ore; Nampa, Idaho; and Roseville, Calif. A schedule and route information will be announced next year, and the railroad plans events for employees and their families in addition to public stops.

 

In an interview last month [see “The Trains Interview: Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena …,” Oct. 19, 2023], Vena had indicated he planned to use the Big Boy more.

 

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Union Pacific Steam Schedule

Trains News Wire

Big Boy’s ‘Westward Bound Tour’ to begin June 30

 

By Trains Staff | April 10, 2024

 

 

Union Pacific

 

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Evolving plans for this year’s tour by Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 now call for the locomotive to make what the railroad is calling its “Westward Bound Tour” beginning Sunday, June 30, traveling to Roseville, Calif., and returning to its home base in Cheyenne by the end of July.

 

At this point, just two sets of dates for public displays are set: July 12-13 in Roseville, and July 20-21 in Ogden, Utah. Other route details will be announced as the tour approaches.

 

Initial plans had called for the trip to include visits to Portland, Ore., and Boise, Idaho, but the railroad says in its latest update that “we determined that the network capacity on our northern corridor could not accommodate Big Boy No. 4014 along with anticipated demand on a single track.”

 

2KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT, 4/10/24

World's largest steam engine 'Big Boy No. 4014' coming to Utah in July

 

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Union Pacific is bringing its famous Big Boy No. 4014 — the world's largest operating steam locomotive —back to Utah for the first time in five years.

 

Big Boy will be taking its Westbound Tour beginning in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on June 30.  . . .

 

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UPRR news release

Big Boy No. 4014 Returns this Summer with Public Display Days in Roseville, California and Ogden, Utah

 

Omaha, Neb., May 9, 2024

 

Union Pacific's legendary Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive built to conquer mountains, will make 19 whistle-stops in five states this summer during its 2024 Westward Bound Tour from Wyoming to California.

 

In addition, this mighty steam locomotive will be on public display for two days each in Roseville, California, July 12-13, and Ogden, Utah, July 20-21.

 

Big Boy will leave its home base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on June 30, traveling across Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California. On its return trip to Wyoming, it will travel for a short stretch across southeast Idaho.

 

Scheduled whistle-stops:

• June 30 – Laramie, Wyoming
• July 1 – Wamsutter, Wyoming
• July 3 – Green River, Wyoming
• July 4 – Morgan, Utah
• July 6 – Wells, Nevada
• July 8 – Carlin and Battle Mountain, Nevada
• July 9 – Gerlach, Nevada
• July 11 – Oroville, California
• July 14 – Colfax and Truckee, California
• July 16 – Lovelock, Nevada
• July 17 – Carlin, Nevada
• July 19 – Montello, Nevada
• July 22 – Brigham City, Utah, and Soda Springs, Idaho
• July 23 – Kemmerer, Wyoming
• July 25 – Point of Rocks, Wyoming
• July 26 – Medicine Bow, Wyoming

 

Display days offer an up-close look at the 1.1-million-pound marvel along with the "Experience the Union Pacific" rail car, a captivating walk-through exhibition that provides a unique glimpse into the rich history of railroading.

 

During the tour, the Union Pacific Museum will host a special passenger trip. The unique experience is the annual gala fundraiser for the nonprofit organization and provides a rare opportunity to travel on this historic heritage equipment. More information and ticket information will be posted at www.UPtrainTix.org as the tour gets closer.

 

Twenty-five Big Boy locomotives were built for Union Pacific to haul freight over the steep grade of the Wasatch Mountain Range in Utah during World War II. Eight were preserved after the locomotives were retired six decades ago, but only Big Boy No. 4014 is still in operation.

 

Union Pacific reminds all rail fans to keep safety top of mind and stay 25 feet back from the tracks when taking a picture or viewing this mammoth machine. That means never take a picture or video standing on the track or the ballast and never climb on the locomotive or equipment.

 

A steam tracking map showing No. 4014's location and route will be available at UPsteam.com.