Free Public Display Dates and Times for Big Boy 4014 in Roseville
Roseville, Calif.- Union Pacific’s Big Boy Locomotive Bound for California as Part of Historic Coast-to-Coast Tour; Display Days Set in Roseville on April 10 and 11
In honor of America’s 250th celebration, Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 has embarking on an historic coast-to-coast tour that will see the legendary locomotive traveling from California to Pennsylvania as part of a transcontinental journey that honors our nation’s growth, innovation and unity since its founding in 1776.
2 Days in Roseville
As part of the nationwide journey, Big Boy will be making five whistle-stops in California, including two public display days in Roseville.
“We’re proud to welcome the Big Boy back to Roseville, a city that owes its founding more than a century ago to the railroad. Big Boy’s return isn’t just a nod to our past; it brings visitors from across the region to explore the shopping, dining, events, and attractions that make Roseville such a vibrant place to be,” said Roseville Mayor Krista Bernasconi.
For its part, Union Pacific is thrilled to back in Roseville, an historic and important railroad hub that is home to many Union Pacific employees. “We had such a great time in Roseville in 2024, and we’re expecting it to be even better this time around,” said Peggy Ygbuhay, senior director – Public Affairs for Union Pacific Railroad. “We have a long and storied history together that underscores the vital role railroads have played and will continue to play for generations to come.”
Public Display Days:
- April 10 – Roseville, 1-5 p.m. PDT, 375 Atlantic St. (Admission is free.)
- April 11 – Roseville, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. PDT, 375 Atlantic St. (Admission is free.)
Atlantic St. near Jefferson
Whistle-Stops
- April 12 – Colfax, 12-12:45 p.m. PDT, Amtrak Depot, 99 Railroad St.
- April 12 – Truckee, 4:45-5 p.m. PDT, 10065 Donner Pass Road
The 2026 tour is split into two segments: the East and West Coast tours. During the western leg of the tour, Big Boy will travel across four western states between March 29 and April 24: Wyoming Utah, Nevada and California.The eastern leg of the tour will start May 25, with Big Boy traveling eastward across Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana Ohio, Utah and New York, before celebrating the Fourth of July in Philadelphia.
Big Boy will be accompanied by several historical passenger cars from Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet, along with two commemorative locomotives: No. 1616 Abraham Lincoln locomotive and No. 1776 – America250, which features the emblem of the America250 Semiquincentennial Commission, the national nonpartisan organization established by Congress to lead the nation’s 250th anniversary.
During the public display in Roseville, visitors will get the chance to Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car. This restored baggage car now serves as a traveling museum, providing a glimpse of the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading. This year, it will also display an original Louisiana Purchase Proclamation; a document delivered to the National Intelligencer and published in the newspaper in 1803, outlining the specifics of the purchase that changed America’s future.
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.
