Texarkana – Is Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014 Coming Back?
Hold your breath and cross your fingers, Texarkana, Union Pacific has announced a coast-to-coast tour starting in the spring for Big Boy 4014 to help celebrate America's 250th birthday. The West Coast leg information has begun to drop, but the East Coast portion, later in the summer, has not been solidified as of yet. But I think there's a way to let them know how much we train lovers around here would relish the chance to see Big Boy belching black smoke and steam once again.
Not Familiar with Big Boy Yet?
Built and launched in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company, it was designed to carry heavy freight across the Uath mountains. Big Boy 4014 retired from service in 1961 after travelling over 1 million miles. Big Boy 4014 was donated to a museum in California. Union Pacific reacquired the locomotive in 2013 with plans to put her back in service, which it did in 2019. That's the year it came through Texarkana for the first time. Which is shown in the video below. 4014 is the only Big Boy locomotive rolling on its own steam out of the 8 of the same type that still exist.
Info We Have So Far
The tour starts March 29, 2026, leaving out of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and heading:
- West to California and including public display days in Roseville April 10–11, and Ogden, UT, April 18–19.
- Back in Cheyenne, WY, around April 24.
- Sometime in the late spring, the Eastern leg shall begin.
What About Texarkana?
Patience, let's see if we can tilt that locomotive-pedulum more in our direction. We know they plan to head east, but which route there and which route back? Texarkana could easily be on either one.
READ MORE:
How Do We Do That?
What can we do to drive that train in our direction? Follow, like, and subscribe.
Let Them Know You Care: Join the Union Pacific Steam Club and sign up for their email updates.
Follow on Facebook: Log on to your Facebook account and look up Union Pacific and follow them.
Does any of that guarantee a visit? Nope, but it doesn't hurt. Besides, you love these steam-powered beasties, and you know it.
#BigBoy4014 #UnionPacific #BigBoyTour2026 #Americas250 #SteamWhistle #RailfanNation #ThunderOnRails
New Jaggers Restaurant Texarkana 2026
Gallery Credit: Mario Garcia, Townsquare Media
Garvin Woodland Gardens - Hot Springs, Arkansas
Gallery Credit: Jim Weaver