World’s largest steam engine will make more Utah stops during transcontinental tour

The world’s largest steam engine will spend a little more time in its former home than initially announced.

Union Pacific on Tuesday revealed dozens of additional stops that Big Boy No. 4014 will make across the West between March 29 and April 24, including three additional stops in Utah.

The historic 133-foot-long, 1.1-million-pound locomotive will make stops in Morgan and Salt Lake City on April 2 as it travels west toward California. It will pass through Morgan again on April 20, following its two-day exhibition in Ogden, announced last month.

All of the Utah stops are part of a transcontinental tour organized by Union Pacific to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. This is the first time the train will tour the country, and it will be by “No. 1776 — America250” and another commemorative locomotive.

Big Boy No. 4014 is the only Big Boy locomotive remaining in service of 25 built in the 1940s to help haul heavy loads of freight across the Wasatch Mountains. Seven others still exist but are retired.

It last made a stop in Utah during a Western tour in 2024. Spectators are asked to stay at least 25 feet away from all train tracks, including drones, when the train passes through the state in April. Drivers are also advised not to walk at high speed to get a better view.