By Justin Franz
Union Pacific announced Thursday that the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” 4014, would “reach all four corners” of the Class I’s 23-state network in 2024.
While the railroad did not announce a specific schedule or dates for the 2024 tour, it said the locomotive would be making stops in Chicago, Ill.; Dallas/Fort Worth, Tex.; Houston, Tex.; Nampa, Idado; Portland, Ore.; Roseville, Calif.; and Salt Lake City, Utah. If the tour does come to fruition, it would mark the first time the locomotive has visited the Pacific Northwest.
“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,” said UP CEO Jim Vena. “When 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.”
The railroad said additional details about the tour would be announced at a future date.
Locomotive 4014 was built in December 1941 and was used on the UP main line in Utah and Wyoming until the 1950s. In 2019, it was restored to service to mark the 150th anniversary of the First Transcontinental Railroad.