Union Pacific Officially Announces Big Boy Coast-to-Coast

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Mar 20, 2026 9:30 pm

https://www.up-nstranscontinental.com/n ... nd-no-1776

Quote:

OMAHA, Neb., March 20, 2026 – Union Pacific Railroad, founded by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, unveiled its plans today to celebrate the United States, its amazing history and the people behind its unparalleled success story with two new locomotives and the first Big Boy steam tour to the East Coast in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

‍Big Boy, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, will journey to Philadelphia for Fourth of July, with stops planned in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.

‍Our nation’s origin will be celebrated with a beautiful No. 1776 – America250 locomotive that will feature an American flag waving against the backdrop of a traditional, armor-yellow Union Pacific locomotive and the America250 logo. President Lincoln, our founder, is commemorated with the No. 1616 locomotive in a paint scheme characteristic of his era.

Our third and newest commemorative locomotive No. 4547 was built in partnership with Wabtec. It celebrates our current president, President Donald J. Trump and features large, flowing American flags on each side of the locomotive, one with 13 stars for the original colonies and the other depicting today’s beloved red, white and blue flag.

This is the third in a series of presidential locomotives, which also includes the No. 4141, the locomotive that honors the late President George H.W. Bush, and that allowed our proud Union Pacific employees to transport the late president to his final resting place in College Station, Texas, where the locomotive is now on display at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

‍“Union Pacific is honored to take part in the 250th anniversary of this great nation,” said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena. “Each of these commemorative locomotives symbolizes important moments in the history of Union Pacific and the U.S. Our shared history shows the vital role railroads have played and will continue to play for generations to come."

The Big Boy will leave Cheyenne, Wyoming, March 29 for the first leg of its historic tour, returning April 24, after making stops in California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. The Eastern leg begins May 25 and will include display days in Omaha, Nebraska; Chicago, Illinois; Buffalo, New York; and Scranton, Pennsylvania, before Big Boy’s arrival in Philadelphia for Independence Day. Additional display days are anticipated in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, before the tour concludes July 29.

‍A detailed schedule for the East Coast leg, including whistlestop locations, will be released at a later date. Anyone interested in learning more is invited to join Union Pacific’s Steam Club at upsteam.com.

msrlha_archivist · **Joined:** Sat Mar 02, 2013 3:33 pm **Posts:** 151

Bad Order wrote:

I can't believe the ass kissers are stooping low enough to be doing a "4547" and commemorating that guy....may as well be Caesar Chavez. Godspeed to the taggers... may the spray paint flow freely.

Another sign that RyPn as a professional forum for serious preservationists has died. Who allows vermin to actively promote vandalism and trespassing on railroad property? I expected a lot more from folks in the industry. Disappointed and shameful.

PaulWWoodring · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2026 8:09 am

He's not the only one here who feels that way, and maybe more so.

RCD · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2026 9:11 am

4547 not only has a new paint job but it also has an enlarged bathroom for storing classified documents

mcgrath618 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:54 pm **Posts:** 235

Wonder via what route they’ll be running from Scranton to Philadelphia…

Oughta be a day for the history books.

NVPete · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2026 11:24 am

RCD wrote:

4547 not only has a new paint job but it also has an enlarged bathroom for storing classified documents

Maybe they'll also include Melania's underwear drawer for you to root through, RCD. :)

NVPete · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2026 11:38 am

mcgrath618 wrote:

Wonder via what route they’ll be running from Scranton to Philadelphia…

Oughta be a day for the history books.

I want to see that thing chugging up the Emmaus hill...

bigjim4life · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2026 2:23 pm

NVPete wrote:

mcgrath618 wrote:

Wonder via what route they’ll be running from Scranton to Philadelphia…

Oughta be a day for the history books.

I want to see that thing chugging up the Emmaus hill...

Well, Ed Dickens did post a few photos of himself at the Pittston yard/station/wye along the Reading & Northern...so take that as you will...

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1802

Well... I just lost some interest in seeing or photographing this...

That's a really disapointing move from UP but whatever it takes to get the merger I guess.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2026 5:04 pm

Crescent-Zephyr wrote:

Well... I just lost some interest in seeing or photographing this...

That's a really disapointing move from UP but whatever it takes to get the merger I guess.

Good.

Anything for fewer people to be in the way of the REAL rail enthusiasts, documentarians, and future railfans that will line the tracks to see this spectacle.

I'm of the ilk that believes in waiting a decent amount of time after a person's passing to memorialize them, and not honoring any living leader or ex-leader (or actor, sports person, etc.) in such a fashion while they're still alive. But I don't run Union Pacific or any other rail enterprise.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1802

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

Crescent-Zephyr wrote:

Well... I just lost some interest in seeing or photographing this...

That's a really disapointing move from UP but whatever it takes to get the merger I guess.

Good.

Anything for fewer people to be in the way of the REAL rail enthusiasts, documentarians, and future railfans that will line the tracks to see this spectacle.

Any reason for the personal attack?

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3013

Without picking sides on the political stuff, I was surprised by the disparity of the two locomotives they announced.

UP 4547: Trump loco. Looks like Uncle Sam and a Bald Eagle designed it. Red white and blue all over.

UP 1776: 250th Anniversary... Hey, that's no different than any other UP flag loco! "No, it's totally different! We put a little 250 sticker on the nose!"

Why the disparity? Why does one look patriotic as can be and the one took 15 minutes to design. "What if we just put a sticker on it?"

Come on UP, you can do better. Look at all the other heritage locos you've done!

Bad Order · **Joined:** Sun Jun 23, 2013 1:16 pm **Posts:** 231

msrlha_archivist wrote:

Another sign that RyPn as a professional forum for serious preservationists has died. Who allows vermin to actively promote vandalism and trespassing on railroad property? I expected a lot more from folks in the industry. Disappointed and shameful.

Well, I've got a news flash for you. I'm a patriotic American and a retired MKT/UP employee. The fact that the engine's mentioned in the article gives me the right to make these comments.

I don't take lightly the vandalism/corruption taking place in our Capitol, nor the ruination of our society, by the regime currently infesting DC.

With all the outrageous things he's done, why commemorate him? The UP's trying to curry favor from a corrupt, wannabe tinpot dictator for future corporate endeavors, that's why.

It was bad enough that they did it for Bush.... that stuck in my craw, as well.

And, as posited by other posters, there are more of us out here than you'd think...

Bobulltech · **Joined:** Wed Jul 26, 2017 4:24 pm **Posts:** 139

Bad Order wrote:

I can't believe the ass kissers are stooping low enough to be doing a "4547" and commemorating that guy....may as well be Caesar Chavez. Godspeed to the taggers... may the spray paint flow freely.

Learn to be a bigger person and put politics aside. I worked on several POTUS, VPOTUS, and POTUS elect movement by or near rail. No matter the person, the politics, the views, I could always proudly serve and reflect on the honor of being involved with the POTUS. Same with working the security of the 2016 DNC.

Please grow up and don't validate criminal activity. This post is an embarrassment to the rail community

wesp · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2026 7:59 pm

Quote:

Learn to be a bigger person and put politics aside. I worked on several POTUS, VPOTUS, and POTUS elect movement by or near rail. No matter the person, the politics, the views, I could always proudly serve and reflect on the honor of being involved with the POTUS. Same with working the security of the 2016 DNC.

Please grow up and don't validate criminal activity. This post is an embarrassment to the rail community

. Like button.