CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific’s Big Boy will return to California this spring in the first leg of its planned coast-to-coast trip for America’s 250th anniversary, the railroad has announced.
The first segment of the trip will be a round trip from Cheyenne, Wyo., beginning March 29 and concluding April 24, with two major public displays: April 10-11 in Roseville, Calif., and April 18-19 in Ogden, Utah. A full schedule will be released closer to the start of the tour. The eastern portion of the trip is still being finalized but is expected to begin in late spring.
No passenger excursions are planned on the western leg.
“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,” UP CEO Jim Vena said in an email to UP Steam Club members. “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.:
The plans also call for the inclusion of a newly announced “America 250” locomotive, No. 1776, which will pay tribute to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and founding of the nation. That locomotive will feature the emblem of the national nonpartisan organization to lead 250th anniversary events, the America250 Semiquincentennial Commission. A second commemorative locomotive will also be involved.
— Updated at 5:05 p.m. CT to reflect Union Pacific correction of dates for display in Ogden. To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
More power and best of good luck to the beloved UP #4014 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” on its ocean-to-ocean journey!