UP 4014 Route Changed Due To Weather, April 12-14

Published: April 11, 2026

Union Pacific announced on April 11th that "Big Boy" 4014's route along the western leg of "Coast-To-Coast Tour" has been altered due to inclement weather on Donner Pass. From April 12-14, 2026 the engine will instead traverse the ex-Western Pacific main line through the Feather River Canyon, including another pass over the famed Keddie Wye. Officially, the railroad states the following:

"Due to forecasted weather conditions over the Donner Pass, Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 has rerouted its tour for three days, starting Sunday. Instead of going over Donner Pass, Big Boy will leave California on the same route it entered the state over the Feather River Canyon. This will result in changes to the schedule on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

We understand some fans may be disappointed, but safety is our top priority."

Similarly, their schedule has been amended during these dates noting:

Sunday, April 12
Roseville, CA

NO PUBLIC ACCESS Depart: 9:30 a.m. PDT
Colfax, CA Cancelled due to weather
Truckee, CA Cancelled due to weather

Tuesday, April 14
Portola, CA

NO PUBLIC ACCESS Depart: TBD
Lovelock, NV Cancelled due to weather

To learn more about the locomotive's schedule and keeping up with the latest on the engine please click here to visit UP's official page regarding such.

A Union Pacific photo featuring "Big Boy" 4014 on Sherman Hill in July, 2024.

About The "Coast-To-Coast Tour"

The “Coast-to-Coast Tour” of Big Boy No. 4014 represents one of the most ambitious and widely celebrated steam locomotive excursions in modern railroad history. It began on March 29, 2026, and this remarkable journey showcases the world’s largest operating steam locomotive as it travels from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Coast, bringing America’s railroading heritage to communities nationwide.

Background of Big Boy No. 4014

Constructed in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO), Big Boy No. 4014 is one of 25 massive 4-8-8-4 articulated steam locomotives built for the Union Pacific Railroad. Designed to haul heavy freight over the steep grades of the Wasatch Mountains between Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Ogden, Utah, the Big Boys became icons of steam-era engineering and power.

After its retirement in 1961, No. 4014 was placed on static display at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California. Recognizing the locomotive’s historical significance, Union Pacific reacquired it in 2013 and undertook an extensive restoration at its Cheyenne Steam Shop. The locomotive triumphantly returned to operation in 2019, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

The 2026 Coast-to-Coast Tour

The 2026 tour marks the first time since its restoration that Big Boy No. 4014 is undertaking a journey of such national scope. Officially commencing on March 29th the tour symbolizes the unifying role of railroads in American history by linking the nation’s two great coastlines.

The excursion began from Cheyenne, Wyoming with the locomotive traveling toward the Pacific Coast before embarking on an extensive eastward trek. Along its route, No. 4014 is scheduled to visit numerous states and major metropolitan areas - including even eastern cities such as Altoona, Philadelphia, Buffalo, and Scranton - offering both public display events and whistle-stop appearances. These planned stops provide rare opportunities for the public to experience the immense scale and power of the Big Boy up close.

As the tour progresses, the locomotive is expected to traverse key rail corridors across the Mountain West, Midwest, and Southern regions, ultimately reaching destinations along the Atlantic Coast. The journey underscores the logistical complexity of operating a locomotive of this size, requiring meticulous coordination with host railroads, support equipment, and dedicated crews from Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet.

Public Engagement and Educational Impact

A central objective of the tour is public engagement. At each major stop, Union Pacific hosts community celebrations that highlight railroad safety, the history of steam locomotion, and the continuing importance of rail transportation to the nation’s economy. These events often draw thousands of visitors, including families, historians, and rail enthusiasts, reinforcing the locomotive’s role as a living ambassador of American industrial heritage.

Significance and Legacy

The tour further cements Big Boy No. 4014’s status as one of the most recognizable and beloved steam locomotives in the world. By traversing the nation from ocean to ocean, the locomotive symbolically echoes the spirit of the original transcontinental railroad, demonstrating how railroads have long served as a unifying force in the United States.

More than a historical exhibition, the tour celebrates innovation, preservation, and community connection. For many spectators, witnessing the thunderous passage of Big Boy No. 4014 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, bridging generations and inspiring renewed appreciation for the engineering achievements of the steam era.

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