Big Boy No. 4014

United States
January 8, 2026 1:14pm CST
I love trains! Some information about this one in the photo: CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The world's largest steam engine, Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014, will return to the rails in 2026 for America's 250th anniversary. CEO Jim Vena announced it will embark on its first coast-to-coast tour, with plans to share the schedule soon for employees and their families to enjoy key stops along the route. Big Boy No. 4014, based in Cheyenne, last visited Colorado in July and October. In July, it was accompanied by the No. 1616 Lincoln Locomotive, which honors Abraham Lincoln’s role in uniting the nation through rail and establishing America’s freight network. The 1.2 million-pound Big Boy steam locomotive was built in the 1940s to conquer mountains while carrying equipment during World War II. Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941 to cross the Wasatch Mountains. It was retired in 1961 after traveling over a million miles, reacquired by Union Pacific in 2013, and restored in 2019. Of the 25 Big Boy locomotives built, No. 4014 is the only functioning one. Eight remain in the U.S., with No. 4005 displayed at the Forney Museum in Denver and No. 4004 at Holliday Park in Cheyenne. Have you ever seen such a glorious train?
9 people like this
7 responses
@JudyEv (369959)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jan
Big Boy really is something. What a mighty engine.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3624)
8 Jan
Oh my gosh, it's amazing! That is one cool picture.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57758)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Jan
I showed my daughter this . . . her favorite anime character fuses with trains (don't ask ) - so she likes trains . This Big Boy has quite a history - that'd be so neat to go on that anniversary trip !
@DaddyEvil (166225)
• United States
8 Jan
I've only seen the sleek trains we use now up close or the small ones in amusement parks. That one seems huge!
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17961)
• Raurkela, India
9 Jan
We don't have steam engine trains anymore. We have electric trains now but I don't love traveling nowadays.
@dgobucks226 (37205)
10 Jan
Impressive for sure! More impressive than the "Big Boy" hamburgers.
@Dreamerby (9878)
• Calcutta, India
9 Jan
I have always been fascinated by traiins.