UP Big Boy to Steam Coast to Coast In 2026

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sun Nov 02, 2025 6:59 pm

Another FB post shared Virtual Railcam video of three UP Steam Crew safety-vested crew members "checking out" Horse Shoe Curve--and in turn being "checked out" by Virtual Railfan camera operators..........

MD Ramsey · **Joined:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:52 pm **Posts:** 192

Pat Fahey wrote:

Hi
Before this can even happen,, you have to have all the railroads that the locomotive will be traveling on, or display locations,,, agree to allow this locomotive,, to be on there property..

Next all the railroads from the west coast to the east coast, now have to add,, added security along the lines the locomotive will be traveling on or displayed at..

The BNSF will not let AT&SF 2926 move on there railroad dead in tow,, and no matter how big the Union Pacific is,,, they can't tell BNSF what to do,, just because they want to TRY to go Coast to Coast..will diesel in tow,, behind the locomotive..even tho it is equipped with Positive Train Control.

On the East coast the locomotive will be restricted to certain main lines, because of weight, height, width, and rail weight..

I have to agree with a post will the locomotive be running under her power, or being pushed by the diesel,, it seems no matter where the locomotive runs,, it has its abilacow cord behind her the Diesel..

Ya I am negative about this,, when I see it happen,, then I will believe it..

Back in my days (early 1990's) on the Grand Canyon (GCR) I was lead on preparing and working with ATSF for a special GCR Steam run from Williams, AZ down the "Peavine" to celebrate the reopening of Phoenix Union Station. ATSF hadn't seen a steam locomotive on their railroad for some time and the management and attorneys in Topeka were very concerned over such a risky operation. The details were still being worked out but I was told to proceed as if it was a done deal. Tickets were sold, advertising was done, locomotive servicing locations, water and crew staging arranged and...at the 11th hour, ATSF attorneys said "no". Within 2 hours, the GCR president, Max Biegert called ATSF President Robert Krebs and we were on our way to Phoenix and back for 5 days of travel over the ATSF with steam and few problems.

The UP and NS want to merge and having the 4014 "road show" over both railroads will help advertise that. My point is that you can bet that senior leadership from both railroads are on board with this and if they want it to happen, it will happen. My 2 cents.

MD Ramsey

MCH765 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 03, 2025 12:35 am

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

Another FB post shared Virtual Railcam video of three UP Steam Crew safety-vested crew members "checking out" Horse Shoe Curve--and in turn being "checked out" by Virtual Railfan camera operators..........

Additionally, earlier this week he and some other notable CSX and Amtrak folks were seen doing a walkaround at Washington Union Station....