Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam engine locomotive, is seen during a stop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday, July 5, 2026. As part of the celebration for America’s 250th anniversary, the steam engine train was on tour for public display in multiple cities and states across the United States.
(Michelle Gustafson for NPR)
Toronto. This year on July 4th our friends down south celebrated 250 years since their amazing country was founded. Amongst the many celebrations was the decision by Union Pacific to take its famous Steam Engine number 4014 out and run it across the US.
Jeff Lunden wrote an article for NPR (National Public Radio – we watch many programs on its sister TV network, PBS) on the train, “the world’s largest operating steam locomotive”.
Jeff writes, “Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014– the world’s largest operating steam locomotive – has been barnstorming from coast-to-coast in a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Based in Wyoming, the train came east to Philadelphia for the July 4th weekend.
“On the hottest day of the year – 102 degrees with a heat index that made it feel like 112 – dozens of people camped out by the side of the tracks at Valley Forge National Historical Park to see the train steam by. Many people brought camp chairs and coolers with water, like John Seibert, who came with a couple of friends from a model railroad club.
“‘It’s a once-in-a lifetime experience,’ he said, ‘I mean you’re never gonna see it again.’
“Many in the crowd checked their smartphones to see the progress of the train on an app, as it made its way down the track. And from miles away, you could hear the whistle. Then, the crowd could see the headlights in the distance. Then the Big Boy, 133 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, came barreling past, bells ringing and steam whistle blaring.” …
To read the entire article, go to https://www.npr.org/2026/07/11/nx-s1-5872656/big-boy-locomotive-steam“.
A big thank you to PHSC Journal editors David and Louise for sending me a link to the wonderful story.
NB: I thought it would be fitting to use a line by another great American, Johnny Cash as the post title. Johnny’s sings the song called Folsom Prison Blues here. It is the railroad part, not the prison part that suits this post.
