Union Pacific Steam Schedule

Union Pacific will join the nation in celebrating 250 years of American independence and innovation this year with its first-ever coast-to-coast steam tour led by the legendary Big Boy No. 4014. The first leg of the tour starts Sunday, March 29, with the Big Boy and several historical passenger cars from Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet traveling west to California from Cheyenne, Wyoming, the steam locomotive’s homebase. The first leg of the tour ends Friday, April 24, in Cheyenne.

Two major public display locations are set:

• Friday and Saturday, April 10-11: Roseville, California
• Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19: Ogden, Utah

The eastern leg of the tour, anticipated to start in late spring, is still being finalized and will be announced soon.

There will NOT be any passenger excursions offered on the western leg of the tour.

You can also view the route on our interactive Steam Location Tracking map.

Key Definitions 

Public Display Admission to display days are free (no tickets required), though parking at surrounding parking facilities may involve a charge. These are the best times to see the Big Boy.  Outside of these display times, there is no public access to see the Big Boy.

Public Viewing Listed whistle stops and public viewing times are shorter  duration opportunities to see the Big Boy. Admission is free, though parking may involve a charge.  In some cases, the Big Boy will be behind a fence or other perimeter; you may not be able to get close.

Ticketed Viewing Some viewing opportunities require admission tickets as a fundraiser. In Portola, the viewing is from the Western Pacific Museum's observation deck; there is no up close access.

Passenger Excursion Opportunities to ride are rare, but when they are available as a fundraiser for charitable groups, they WILL be listed on this schedule. Any passenger excursion tickets are sold by outside entities -- not Union Pacific -- and are not available on the day of the excursion. All authorized passenger excursions will be listed on our schedule. There will not be a passenger excursion during the western leg of the Coast to Coast tour, though there will be an exciting opportunity to ride in the Big Boy's cab! As part of the tour, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum will be auctioning off four cab rides on Big Boy No. 4014, with proceeds going to support the non-profit Union Pacific Museum Association. The auction starts Monday, March 2 and ends Thursday, March 19. Details can be found at https://rarauctions.com/upm .

Overnight Stops Locations where the Big Boy stops overnight are closed to the public due to safety and security reasons, unless otherwise noted on the schedule. Non-employees who access these locations without permission will be treated as trespassers. Afternoon arrival locations and times are not available.

About the Coast to Coast Tour

Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, will be joined by two commemorative locomotives, including the railroad’s newest locomotive: No. 1776 – America250. This new commemorative locomotive pays tribute to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of this nation. The locomotive will feature the emblem of the America250 Semiquincentennial Commission, the national nonpartisan organization established by Congress to lead the nation’s 250th anniversary. More information about No. 1776 will be announced soon.

“We are proud to honor our nation’s great history and legacy of innovation with our heritage locomotives. For the first time, we will share the Big Boy with communities on the East Coast, operating it from ocean to ocean,” said CEO Jim Vena. “America has never been afraid to dream about what’s possible – and neither is Union Pacific as we carry the grain that feeds families, the steel that builds cities and the household goods that stock store shelves.” 

Union Pacific is proud that our efforts to create America’s first transcontinental railroad are making a coast-to-coast Big Boy tour possible. Our combination with Norfolk Southern will strengthen America’s competitiveness, enhance safety, safeguard union jobs and deliver exceptional service.