Union Pacifics Big Boy Steam Locomotive Making Several Stops In WY
Big Boy No. 4014, the famed Union Pacific steam locomotive built in the 1940s to conquer mountains, is taking off on its Westward Bound Tour on June 30 from Cheyenne, Wyoming, with eight whistle-stops planned in the state.
The powerful steam locomotive will travel across Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California and a small stretch of southeast Idaho during its four-week tour.
Big Boy will make several whistle-stops in Wyoming on both its outbound and return trip to its homebase in Cheyenne:
- June 30 – Laramie, 10:45-11:15 a.m. MT, Laramie Historic Railroad Dept., E. Kearney and S. 1st St.
- July 1 – Wamsutter, 10:30-11 a.m. MT, Broadway and Boyd St., near the water tower.
- July 3 – Green River, 10-10:30 a.m. MT, 300 E. Railroad Avenue.
- July 3 – Evanston, 3-6 p.m. MT., 1500 Main St., near Evanston Roundhouse
- July 23 – Kemmerer, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MT, Union Pacific Yard Office, 720 Lignite St.
- July 25 – Point of Rocks, Wyoming, 9:45-10:15 a.m. MT, Black Buttes Road Crossing
- July 26 – Medicine Bow, Wyoming, 11-11:30 a.m., Hwy 30 at Medicine Bow-McFadden Road.
- July 26 – Cheyenne, Wyoming, 4-5 p.m., Cheyenne Depot
Media can find photos, a Big Boy infographic, fact sheets and more at UP: Steam. In addition, a complete schedule of Big Boy’s 2024 multi-state tour, along with a map tracking its journey can be found here.
The public can also follow along with Big Boy’s adventure on its X account, @UP_Steam. Fans can share their safely taken photos on Facebook, Instagram or X, using the hashtags #BigBoyHeadsWest and #UP4014.
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.