Heritage Steam
Omaha, Neb.
|September 17, 2026
Steaming Up for the Holidays: Union Pacific’s Big Boy to Embark on First-Ever Holiday Tour for Make-A-Wish Foundation
Santa Claus and his elves will be on hand during Big Boy’s one-day stop in Denver area
In another historic first, Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 will take to the rails this November for a limited holiday tour in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the world’s largest operating steam locomotive set to be on display Nov. 21 in the Denver, Colorado, area.
This will be Big Boy’s first-ever holiday tour and comes several months after the beloved 1941-era steam locomotive completed its historic coast-to-coast tour from California to New York, culminating in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July. The 14-state journey celebrating America’s 250th anniversary attracted millions of viewers.
The public is being offered a rare chance to purchase tickets for the holiday tour and ride in vintage passenger cars pulled by Big Boy as it travels from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Denver. The trip will support the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and include a donation from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program.
Ticket sales for patrons of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum will begin Oct. 16. Any remaining tickets will be available to the general public Oct. 19.
Big Boy will be accompanied by some very special guests from the North Pole. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a few elves will be at the Denver stop, delighting children with limited edition gifts.
Twenty-five Big Boy locomotives were built for Union Pacific to haul freight over the steep grade of the Wasatch Mountain Range in Utah during World War II. Eight were preserved after the locomotives were retired six decades ago, but only Big Boy No. 4014 is still in operation.
Union Pacific reminds all rail fans to keep safety top of mind and stay 25 feet back from the tracks when taking a picture or viewing this mammoth machine. That means never take a picture or video standing on the track or the ballast and never climb on the locomotive or equipment.
Media can find photos, a Big Boy infographic, fact sheets and more at https://www.up.com/media/media-kit
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.
Media Contact