Visitors pose for photos in front of Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 along Atlantic Street in Roseville’s historic district on Friday, April 10, 2026. The restored steam locomotive is traveling across the country to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Nicole Buss
nicole.buss@sacbee.com
Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014, a historic steam locomotive, arrived in Roseville, drawing visitors of all ages despite rainy weather.
The visit was part of the locomotive’s coast-to-coast tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, described as a “transcontinental journey that honors our nation’s growth, innovation and unity since its founding in 1776.”
Roseville Vice Mayor Karen Alvord said the train’s arrival Friday from the Railyards in Sacramento to a siding along Atlantic Street offered a moment to reflect on history. The locomotive traveled Thursday through Sutter and Placer counties, including stops in Marysville and Lincoln. In Lincoln, the city was designated an official “Train Town USA” during a brief ceremony attended by local officials and residents.
“In a fast-moving world, the Big Boy’s arrival slows us down to appreciate the craftsmanship, history and spirit that helped build communities like Roseville,” she said.
Visitors stand beside Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 along Atlantic Street in Roseville’s historic district on Friday, April 10, 2026. The historic steam locomotive traveled through Sutter and Placer counties before arriving in Roseville as part of its multistate 2026 tour. Nicole Buss nicole.buss@sacbee.com 
A crew member looks out from the cab of Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 as another worker stands atop the hulking steam locomotive along Atlantic Street in Roseville’s historic district on Friday, April 10, 2026. After its Roseville stop, the train is scheduled to continue to Colfax and Truckee before heading east into Nevada. Nicole Buss nicole.buss@sacbee.com 
Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 sits the tracks along Atlantic Street in Roseville’s historic district on Friday, April 10, 2026, as a crowd gathers with umbrellas under cloudy skies. The locomotive’s stop in Roseville included free public tours and community activities downtown. Nicole Buss nicole.buss@sacbee.com
Donna Smith, an out-of-town visitor, said seeing the train in Roseville in the rain was worth it.
“When I️ left Oakdale this morning, it was sunny,” she said. “I’m glad we still came out to see the Big Boy. Hearing it whistle in the rain was a special experience.”
Visitors can tour the train for free from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The city also planned activities at Vernon Street Town Square from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, including a makers market and live music.
A restored baggage car traveling with the train served as a museum, featuring artifacts including an original Louisiana Purchase proclamation published in 1803 by the National Intelligencer.
Union Pacific officials said Roseville remains a key rail hub and home to many railroad employees, underscoring the city’s longstanding ties to the industry.
The train was scheduled to continue to Colfax and Truckee on Friday afternoon before heading east into Nevada as part of its multistate 2026 tour.
Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 is stopped along Atlantic Street in Roseville’s historic district on Friday, April 10, 2026, as visitors gather in the rain to see the locomotive. The steam engine’s visit is part of a coast-to-coast tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Nicole Buss nicole.buss@sacbee.com
Related Stories from Sacramento Bee
The Sacramento Bee
Nicole Buss is The Sacramento Bee’s Roseville/Placer County watchdog reporter. She previously covered Placer County at Gold Country Media. Buss grew up in Lincoln and is a graduate of Sierra College and Arizona State University.