World's Largest Steam Engine Rolls Through Utah

Union Pacific's Big Boy #4014 locomotive makes several stops in the state as part of a nationwide 250th anniversary tour.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:08pm

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style depicts the massive, streamlined form of the Big Boy #4014 steam locomotive towering over a mountainous landscape, capturing the grand scale and romance of this historic American engineering marvel.The historic Big Boy steam locomotive, a symbol of American industrial might, embarks on a transcontinental tour to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.Salt Lake City Today

Union Pacific's Big Boy #4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, is making several stops in Utah as part of a transcontinental tour celebrating America's 250th anniversary. The massive 133-foot, 1.1-million-pound engine, one of only 25 Big Boys built in the 1940s, played a major role in transporting heavy freight through mountain terrain during World War II.

Why it matters

The tour of the historic Big Boy steam engine is a unique opportunity for train enthusiasts and the public to witness a piece of American industrial and transportation history. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, the locomotive's journey across the country symbolizes the nation's industrial and engineering prowess.

The details

Big Boy #4014 is scheduled to make stops in Morgan and Salt Lake City on April 2 as it heads west toward California. The engine will then return to Morgan later in the month after a two-day display in Ogden. This is the second time the locomotive has visited Utah, having previously toured the state in 2024.

  • Big Boy #4014 is scheduled to stop in Morgan and Salt Lake City on April 2, 2026.
  • The engine will return to Morgan later in April 2026 after a two-day display in Ogden.
  • Big Boy #4014 previously visited Utah on an earlier tour in 2024.

The players

Union Pacific

The American Class I railroad that operates Big Boy #4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, as part of a nationwide tour celebrating America's 250th anniversary.

Ron Fox

The co-chair of the America 250 Utah Commission, which is promoting events and activities across the state to honor the nation's 250th birthday.

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What they’re saying

“The Union Pacific has volunteered their steam locomotive to be part of America 250, and we'll be riding in from one coast to the other throughout the year.”

— Ron Fox, Co-chair, America 250 Utah Commission

“It's a great thing to have. As you can see, many, many people come out to see the largest moving object in the world.”

— Ron Fox, Co-chair, America 250 Utah Commission

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The tour of the historic Big Boy steam engine is a unique opportunity for train enthusiasts and the public to witness a piece of American industrial and transportation history, as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.