Union Pacific’s Westward Bound Tour Brings Back Iconic Locomotive Big Boy No. 4014 to Utah

Union Pacific’s “Westward Bound Tour” is bringing back one of its most iconic locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014, to Utah. The massive steam engine will arrive at the Morgan Depot from Evanston, Wyoming on Thursday before heading to Salt Lake Central Station in Salt Lake City.

Big Boy No. 4014 was once used to transport freight across the Wasatch Mountains and played a vital role in the transportation between Ogden and Cheyenne. Out of the original two dozen locomotives built by the American Locomotive Company for Union Pacific, only eight remain, with No. 4014 being one of them.

The locomotive has been restored by Union Pacific in 2019 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad. It now operates on industrial heating oils as part of the restoration process. The Westward Bound Tour began in Cheyenne and will end on July 26 where it started, but the locomotive will go back on tour later in the summer as Union Pacific plans to visit 10 states primarily in the Midwest from late August to October.

Big Boy No. 4014 is considered one of Union Pacific’s most significant locomotives as it played a vital role in transporting freight across Utah’s mountains for many years. Now, people can see this historic machine up close and learn more about its importance in Utah’s history at Ogden Union Station later this month.