It’s called Big Boy No. 4014.
Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, the world’s largest steam locomotive, is on a run from California to Philadelphia for the USA’s 250th celebration of independence.
Its mighty fury steamed Thursday through Lancaster, New York on its latest leg, as thousands of spectators lined the tracks for the bone-chilling spectacle.
Enjoy the following story of Big Boy No. 4014 posted on TheLandCle.org by historian Tim Zaun of Cleveland:
The American Locomotive Company built Big Boy No. 4014 and delivered it to Union Pacific Railroad in December 1941 when the United States entered World War II.
It was one of 25 “Big Boy” locomotives designed to haul enormous freight trains over the steep grades between Ogden, Utah and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Its wheel arrangement and articulated design provided high-speed pulling power and flexibility needed to navigate mountain curves.
Big Boy No. 4014 is 133 feet long, weighs 1.2 million pounds and is the world’s largest operating steam engine.
After World War II, diesel locomotives transformed railroading. They were cheaper to maintain, required smaller crews and could operate longer distances without servicing.
Big Boy steam locomotives became obsolete.
In 1961, Union Pacific retired the train and donated it to the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, California.
In 2013, Union Pacific announced plans to revive Big Boy No. 4014 and negotiated the return from the museum to its steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Big Boy No. 4014’s restoration became a multi-year challenge after decades of dormancy.
To make it functional in a modern, 21st century railroad system, it included a complete disassembly, fabrication of commercially non-existent parts, extensive boiler work and wheel repairs.
In 2019, the steam locomotive made its public debut, which coincided with the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad completion.
It’s become a hallmark of Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet and will continue to travel regionally after it returns to its home base in Cheyenne, Wyoming in late July.
Big Boy No. 4014 this summer is embarking on its most ambitious trip yet.
To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, it will complete a coast-to-coast tour.
The steam locomotive will traverse 14 states and include significant display events in eight major cities.More than 50 whistle stops (a short, 15–30-minute layover for extended viewing) will occur in 10 states.
Indiana, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania are first-time destinations for the train.
A Philadelphia Fourth of July celebration is also planned.
Big Boy’s trip will include historical passenger cars, including the No. 1616 Abraham Lincoln locomotive, which commemorates the country’s 16th president and Union Pacific founder.
Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act on July 1, 1822, officially chartering the Union Pacific Railroad.
The No. 1776 – America250 features the emblem of the America250 Semiquincentennial Commission, the national nonpartisan organization established by Congress to lead the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The trip’s eastern leg will include Norfolk Southern commemorative locomotives and historical passenger cars from its Norfolk Southern Heritage Fleet.
The collaboration highlights the histories of Union Pacific in the west and Norfolk Southern in the east and their shared legacy of American railroads who help drive the country’s economic growth.
The first American railroads emerged in the 1820s, less than 50 years after its independence.
Until then, early America relied on rivers, canals, horseback travel and coastal shipping for transportation.
Railroads helped unite a growing nation by dramatically reducing travel times; and steam locomotives became the transportation of choice.
Railroads played a key role in westward expansion during the 19th century.
They helped farmers reach national markets, quickly carried mail across long distances and became one of the largest national employers.
Americans rethought time and distance because of railroads.
In 1883, railroads adopted standardized time zones, which were later widely accepted throughout the United States.
While car and airline travel overtook trains by the mid-20th century, railroads embody Americana.
Many historic depots and stations are cultural landmarks.
Nationwide, museums preserve railroad artifacts, equipment and stories.
Historic steam locomotives still operate for excursions and educational programs.
As America celebrates 250 years in 2026, railroads remain one of the most important technologies in the nation’s development.
Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 steam engine is a transportation icon.
Love it! I can already hear the wailing from the phony climate change environmental whackos
Saw the Freedom Train in Portland in 1975, great time. Had the privilege of participating in Operation Sail in 1976, the Tall Ships, fireworks in NYC it was quite a time.
This Maine model rail roader thanks the Maine Wire for this in depth write up. I do not have a model of 4014 and doubt that it would negotiate even the 72″ curves on my O gauge layout, but it is a great read.