Second chance to see the Big Boy locomotive: Legendary train rolls back through Utah

Spectators admire the Big Boy locomotive. Photo: Union Pacific

PARK CITY, Utah — Railfans and families who missed their first glimpse of the world’s largest operating steam locomotive will soon get another chance.

After chugging through Summit County on April 2, Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 will be making a return trip through the West as part of a nationwide celebration of 250 years of American independence and innovation. The coast-to-coast tour marks the first of its kind for the legendary engine, which stretches more than 130 feet and weighs over a million pounds.

Before traveling continuing its journey to Wyoming, the train is scheduled to remain in at the Ogden Union Station from April 18-19 for one of two major public displays on the tour. The Ogden stop offers Utahns an opportunity to experience the historic train up close after crowds gathered along the tracks earlier this month to catch it passing through northern Utah.

The tour’s western leg began March 29 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and will wrap up there on April 24 after traveling to California and back.

Built for Utah’s mountains

Big Boy No. 4014 isn’t just passing through, it was built for this landscape.

Constructed in 1941, the Big Boy locomotives were specifically designed to haul heavy freight over the steep grades of the Wasatch Range between Ogden and Wyoming during World War II.

Of the 25 Big Boys ever built, only eight remain, and No. 4014 is the only one still in operation today.

The train’s route also echoes a long railroad history in Summit County.

Much of the region’s modern trail system traces back to these same rail lines. The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park follows a 28-mile corridor of former Union Pacific track stretching from Park City to Echo Reservoir.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, railroads were essential to Park City’s mining economy, hauling silver and supplies through narrow canyon routes and connecting the town to larger rail hubs like Ogden.

Today, while trains no longer run through Park City itself, the legacy of those rail corridors remains embedded in the landscape, and events like the Big Boy tour offer a rare reminder of the machines that once powered the region.

What to expect

The Ogden display is free and open to the public, offering a close-up look at the locomotive and accompanying cars from Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet.

On April 20, the train will depart the Ogden station and begin traveling back to Wyoming. The train will make a 30-minute stop at the Morgan Depot before heading along the tracks that parallel I-84 to Echo, then head east through Echo Canyon to Evanston.

While rides are not available, visitors can walk alongside the train, take photos, and experience a piece of living history.

Keep Safety Top of Mind