Heritage
April 7, 2026
A Moving Symbol: The Flag Tradition of Union Pacific Steam
When Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 rolls through a town, it carries more than history and horsepower – it carries the symbols of the nation and the communities it steams through.
Big Boy’s tradition of displaying the American flag alongside the flag of the state it’s traveling through began in 2011, during the Arizona Centennial Celebration Tour featuring Living Legend No. 844.
“Union Pacific’s steam locomotives are our traveling ambassadors,” said Ed Dickens, senior manager-Heritage Operations. “When you see the American flag and a state flag flying on the Big Boy, it’s a visual statement of respect – for our country, for the railroad and for every community we roll through.”
The flagpoles themselves are part of the tradition. Made of hickory, each pole is stained using oil from the locomotive. The care of the flags follows a disciplined, symbolic process rooted in military customs. Several members of the steam crew are veterans – including Dickens, who served four years in the U.S. Air Force – and that influence is evident in every step.
Each morning, the flags are installed with ceremony. The crew approaches respectfully, takes a military facing position, stands at attention and salutes. The same care is taken in the evening when the flags are removed. The state flag is lowered first and folded by two people. The American flag is folded separately – never combined, never carried with another flag – and placed in a dedicated location.
“These are traveling flags,” Dickens said. “They’re allowed to get a little dirty, just like flags carried in combat. We protect them as much as we can, but they’re working symbols of the people and pride that built this country.”
The flags represent the men and women of Union Pacific as much as they represent the nation and the states the railroad touches. They remain in place throughout the workday and are only removed once the steam crew’s workday is complete.
Swapping state flags is done thoughtfully and intentionally, sometimes close to state borders when operations allow and sometimes ahead of significant events. The American flag is always stationed on the engine’s right side and the state flag on its left.
As Union Pacific prepares for the East Coast leg of its first-ever coast-to-coast steam tour, new state flags have already been purchased to add to the rotation. The crew also carries a Union Pacific flag, which is flown in lieu of a state flag when on display during employee family day celebrations.
“Tradition matters on our railroad,” Dickens said. “These locomotives represent the very best of Union Pacific, and the way we handle the flags reflects that pride.”
Follow Big Boy on its coast-to-coast journey by visiting the No. 4014 Steam Tracker. Be among the first to receive Big Boy’s detailed schedule for the East Coast – including whistlestop locations – by joining Union Pacific’s Steam Club at upsteam.com.