Union Pacific Unveils Big Boy 4014's Eastern Leg
Published: April 28, 2026
By: Adam Burns
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has officially released the full schedule for the eastern leg of its groundbreaking 2026 “Coast-to-Coast Tour” featuring the legendary Big Boy No. 4014, providing railfans with the most detailed look yet at what is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious steam excursions in modern history.
The eastern portion of the tour will begin May 25, 2026, and operate across a wide swath of the country—including the Midwest, Great Lakes region, Ohio Valley, and Northeast—before concluding in late July.
Notably, the tour will run extensively over the network of Norfolk Southern Railway, marking a rare collaboration between two of America’s largest railroads and bringing Big Boy back to eastern territory for the first time in the modern excursion era.
A Union Pacific publicity photo featuring Big Boy #4014 in Ogden, Utah back in 2019.A Historic Journey East
Following a successful western tour earlier this spring, Big Boy No. 4014 will depart Cheyenne, Wyoming on May 25, 2026, beginning its journey across the Midwest and into the eastern United States.
Union Pacific has confirmed that the locomotive will make multiple whistle-stops and extended public display appearances in major cities along the route before culminating in a high-profile Independence Day appearance in Philadelphia.
The railroad describes the tour as both a celebration of national history and a tribute to the role railroads played in building the United States—echoing the significance of the original transcontinental railroad completed in 1869.
Complete Eastern Tour Schedule (Major Events)
Below is the officially confirmed schedule of major public display stops for Big Boy No. 4014’s eastern leg. For complete information regarding the schedule please click here to visit Union Pacific's website.
Late May – Midwest Kickoff
- May 25, 2026 – Departure from Cheyenne, Wyoming
- May 30 – Omaha (Public display)
Early June – Chicago & Great Lakes
- June 3 – West Chicago (Public display)
Mid-June – New York & Pennsylvania
- June 10 – Buffalo (Public display)
- June 15–16 – Scranton (Two-day public display)
Independence Day Highlight
- July 4–5 – Philadelphia (Major Independence Day display)
Mid-July – Pennsylvania & Ohio
- July 9–10 – Altoona (Public display)
- July 14 – Fostoria (Public display)
Late July – Return West
- July 19 – St. Louis (Public display)
- Tour conclusion: Late July 2026 (final movements westbound)
A Once-In-A-Generation Event
Built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company, Big Boy No. 4014 is the only operational example of the 25 locomotives constructed, making each excursion a rare spectacle.
Weighing more than 1.2 million pounds and stretching over 130 feet in length, the locomotive represents the pinnacle of steam-era engineering and remains one of the most powerful steam locomotives ever built.
Its 2026 journey is especially significant:
- First modern coast-to-coast steam tour
- Tied directly to the U.S. Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary)
- Expected to attract record crowds nationwide
What Railfans Should Expect
For those planning to see the locomotive, Union Pacific encourages fans to:
- Monitor official schedule updates closely
- Arrive early at display locations
- Follow all railroad safety guidelines
As with previous excursions, crowds in the tens of thousands are expected at major stops, particularly in Chicago and Philadelphia.
Related Articles
You might also enjoy:
- A History of Union Pacific 4014
- Union Pacific's 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy" Fleet
- A History Of Steam Locomotives
- Union Pacific: One of America's Historic Corporations
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