Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive built to conquer mountains, is currently on tour in five states this summer during its 2024 Westward Bound Tour from Wyoming to California.
Big Boy left its home base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on June 30, traveling across Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California and Idaho during the month of July. This photo was taken on Sunday as it roared through the Emigrant Gap area heading towards Sparks, Nevada.
Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 holds a storied legacy rooted in the golden age of American railroads. Built in the early 1940s as part of Union Pacific’s ambitious efforts to conquer the steep grades of the Rocky Mountains, the Big Boy series represented a pinnacle of engineering prowess. Weighing in at over 1.2 million pounds and stretching nearly 133 feet in length, these behemoths were designed to haul heavy freight over the formidable terrain of the Sierra Nevada and beyond.
Today, the revival of No. 4014 marks not just a nostalgic journey but a tribute to Union Pacific’s pivotal role in connecting communities across the American West.
Big Boy is leaving Sparks, Nevada today and heading back to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where it is expected to arrive on Friday, July 26th. You can see the full schedule here.
As it traverses from its birthplace in Wyoming to California, and back, Big Boy continues to captivate and inspire, reminding us of the enduring spirit of innovation and perseverance that built the foundation of modern transportation infrastructure.