For select videos of Big Boy’s West Coast leg check out our Big Boy and other Articulateds Videos page
News Items
****April 11 Update — UP Cancelled Visits to Colfax & Truckee due to snow on Donner. Big Boy returned via Feather River Canyon instead of Donner****
UP 4014 “Big Boy” will make a coast-to-coast excursion in 2026 honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. UP released a daily schedule for the western portion of the tour. with planned stops along with a map of the route. Big Boy was on display in Roseville on April 10 from 1pm-5pm and April 11 from 9am-3pm. Due to forecasts for bad weather over Donner Pass, the return trip was made via Feather River Canyon and the stops in Colfax and Truckee were cancelled.
*** Colfax Event Cancelled ***
The Colfax event planned for Big Boy’s Visit on April 12 was cancelled. See the Facebook Big-Boy Event Page for further details. While the event itself was canceled, the Colfax Heritage Museum and Visitor Center in the renovated passenger depot were open Sunday morning for those visitors who didn’t get the news about the cancellation of Big Boy’s visit. Numerous railfans enjoyed getting out of the weather and viewing the railroad history displays and items available for purchase.
For the western leg of the tour follow this link for a complete schedule including a Map of California Stops.
The eastern leg of the tour, anticipated to start in late spring, is still being finalized and will be announced soon.
UP’s website notes that Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, will be joined by two commemorative locomotives, including the railroad’s newest locomotive: No. 1776 – America250, which pays tribute to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of this nation.
Early photos of Big Boy’s 2026 westward journey show UP1616, Abraham Lincoln in the consist. The photo below is from UP’s Heritage Fleet website.
PSRHS will be monitoring the news releases and will post updates on our website. Our March program was dedicated to information on Big Boy’s visit to our region including a map of California stops. Watch for further website and newsletter updates.
2024 — A Look Back — Big Boy in Colfax
To View Video of UP 4014 Big Boy in Colfax on its 2024 Western trip, follow this link
Screenshots from Colfax Webcam of Big Boy’s 2024 Arrival: (click on image for larger view)
