SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — The countdown is on.
On June 13, Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014 — the world’s largest operating steam locomotive — is scheduled to arrive in Northeastern Pennsylvania for a historic visit to Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton.
To celebrate this once-in-a-generation event, FOX56 is launching the Countdown to Big Boy, a daily series highlighting fascinating facts, little-known stories, and remarkable engineering details about one of the most famous locomotives ever built.
From its role hauling wartime freight across the American West to its incredible restoration after decades on display, Big Boy 4014 has a story unlike any other locomotive in history.
Each day leading up to its arrival, we’ll share a new fact about the massive steam engine, giving railfans and newcomers alike a chance to learn more about the locomotive that has captured the imagination of generations.
Join FOX56 every day as we count down to June 13 and the arrival of Big Boy 4014 in Scranton.
May 30
14 Days Until Big Boy 4014: The Steam Giant That Was Never Supposed to Run Again
When Union Pacific retired Big Boy 4014 in December 1961, its career appeared over forever. After traveling more than 1,031,205 miles, the locomotive was placed on display in California, where it sat for decades.
Many railroad historians believed restoring a Big Boy to operation was impossible. Yet after Union Pacific reacquired the locomotive in 2013 and launched an ambitious restoration project, 4014 returned to steam in 2019.