The Union Pacific Railroad’s famed Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, left Scranton on Wednesday after a two-week stay at Steamtown National Historic Site. The locomotive is heading south through Luzerne, Schuylkill and Berks counties before spending the Independence Day weekend in the Philadelphia area. After that, the locomotive will head back to its home in Cheyenne, Wyoming, ending a first-of-its-kind coast-to-coast tour to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The tour attracted tens of thousands of visitors to Steamtown, many of them eager to see No. 4014 parked alongside Steamtown’s own Big Boy, No. 4012. Both locomotives were among 25 Big Boys built in the 1940s, of which only eight remain. Seven of those are nonoperational. Restored in 2019 to run again and converted from coal-fired to oil, the 4014 is the only remaining Big Boy that can roll on rails under its own power.
The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive prepares to depart the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive prepares to depart the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Railfans look out from the The Marketplace at Steamtown parking garage to watch the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive depart the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Spectators wave as the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive departs the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 is parked next to the Big Boy 4012 before it departs the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive departs the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive prepares to depart the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)