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Map shows coast-to-coast tour of iconic 1941 Union Pacific Big Boy train

Newsweek · Jul 22, 2026 21:21 · 3 min read

Screenshot 2026-07-22 144312 — Map Shows Coast-to-Coast Tour of Iconic 1941 Union Pacific Big Boy Train

Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, is making its way through the Midwest.

One of America’s most famous trains is entering its final stretch of a historic cross-country journey.

Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, is making its way through the Midwest and Great Plains as it completes the eastern leg of its coast-to-coast 2026 tour.

The railroad said the trip marks the locomotive’s first East Coast journey and is part of celebrations leading up to America’s 250th anniversary.

The remaining route will take the massive steam engine through Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming before concluding in Cheyenne on July 29. Along the way, thousands of rail enthusiasts are expected to gather for different display events and viewings along the track.

Why It Matters

For many Americans, Big Boy is more than a train.

The locomotive has become a traveling piece of living history, drawing crowds across multiple states.

The 2026 tour has been full of major display events and more than 50 whistle-stops in 10 states. It also marked the first time the locomotive visited Indiana, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.

The train has drawn emotional reactions from families across the country, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that “grown men” have been brought to tears as the locomotive rolls through towns during its cross-country tour.

Map Shows Coast-to-Coast Tour of Iconic 1941 Union Pacific Big Boy Train — Wichita, United States – May 20, 2022: The Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive No. 4014 under a dramatic cloudy sky.

What to Know About the Union Pacific Big Boy Train

Big Boy No. 4014 was built in 1941 to haul heavy freight through the mountains of the American West during World War II. According to Union Pacific, 25 Big Boy locomotives were originally constructed, but No. 4014 is the only one still operating today.

The locomotive was restored to service in 2019 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad and has since served as a traveling ambassador for the railroad.

Why Is the Union Pacific Big Boy Train So Noteworthy?

The locomotive’s size alone makes it a spectacle.

Union Pacific describes No. 4014 as the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. At approximately 133 feet long and weighing roughly 1.2 million pounds, the train is also a rarity to train fanatics.

While eight Big Boy locomotives still exist, No. 4014 is the only one in operation. That means many railfans may have only a handful of chances in their lifetime to see one running under its own power.

Big Boy also serves as a link to an era when steam engines powered long-distance freight traffic across the United States. The current tour combines railroad history with the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence.

“People come out waving flags, singing the national anthem,” Ed Dickens, one of the Big Boy’s engineers, told local station FOX4. “It’s unifying, this locomotive, bringing people together, celebrating the 250th of our great country. We’ll look back on this as being very blessed to be a part of.”

Map Shows Union Pacific Big Boy Train Route

The remaining public route for Big Boy No. 4014 stretches from Missouri and Kansas through Colorado before ending in Wyoming. Based on Union Pacific’s published schedule, upcoming stops include:

Kansas