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Union Pacific #4014, affectionately known as "Big Boy" is the world's largest operating steam engine, and is the mascot and publicity darling of the railroad. During April, 2026 , as part of Union Pacific's "coast to coast steam tour," #4014 headed a special train west to Roseville, as part of the western extention of the tour, which was the western portion of Union Pacific Railroad's salute to the 250th birthday celebration of the United States of America. I was fortunate to be able to spend four days taking photos of "Big Boy," both in action, and while on display to the public at the "City Yard," in downtown Roseville, CA. Check out four days of "Big Boy..." two days on the road and two days on public display, at the "City Yard," next to downtown... All aboard!
Photo: After hanging out for much of the day at M.P. 121.04, about a half mile west of the west switch at Brock, I was rewarded with X4014, pulling the special train, including several cars from Union Pacific Railroad's "Heritage Fleet" of passenger cars. It's 16:36 in the afternoon, Thursday, April 09, 2026, and I'm enjoying the world's largest steam engine, U.P. #4014, "Big Boy." Today marked the end of the western leg of "Big Boy's" coast-to-coast tour, celebrating 250 years of American independence and technical innovation. MP. 121.04 is located along Sheridan-Lincoln Blvd. at the Chamberlain Rd. crossing, in rural Placer County, north (railroad timetable east) of Lincoln, CA., on Union Pacific's "Valley Subdivision."
Photo: "Big Boy" nears Chamberlain Rd. with flags flying. The U.S. flag is always flown on the right side, as per flag protocol, and the flag of the current state is flown on the left side of the engine. The house track looks like it hasn't been used in many years.
Photo: Business car #109 brings up the end of the train. I've spent many an hour at this photo location, and I've always had it all to myself. Not today!
Photo: Thanks to a planned 15-minute stop in Lincoln, I was able to easily make the drive, and catch X4014 as it headed into Roseville, at M.P. 110.7, which is about three miles west of Sunset Whitney. The time is 17:28 in the afternoon, about an hour after my first photos. This is a great photo location for westbound action, as it's easy to work around the crowds. On this side - the west - side of the tracks, there were only a handful of railfans, as the location is a little tricky to get to, as it's behind a business park. The east side was a different story, as the tracks parallel Industrial Ave. between Lincoln and Roseville, which allow easy access and attracted many onlookers. I live in Roseville and I'm a lifelong railfan, so I know all of the photo locations.
Photo: "Big Boy" passes me in all of "his" glory. Normally locomotives are mentioned as "her," but "Big Boy" seems to be the exception. Notice the two water cars, when combined with the water in the tender give "Big Boy" about a 200 mile range between water stops. Each water car holds about 20,000 gallons - my backyard swimming pool holds 15, 000 gallons - giving the engine added range. In 2026, the infrastructure to support large steam engines in non-existent, so the railroad had to improvise.
Photo: Business car #109 brings up the rear of the train. The crossing overhead is Blue Oaks Blvd. and the train is nearing holding signal Andorra.
Photo: Friday, April 10, 2026 "Big Boy" and the entire train was on public display at the "City Yard," located on Atlantic St. in downtown Roseville, CA. Display hours were from 13:00 to 17:00. I read the crowd was estimated at the 23,000 mark. Having your photo taken with "Big Boy" as a backdrop was a popular activity.
Photo: I returned the next day, Saturday, April 11, 2026 for more photos and to enjoy the party atmosphere. A staff member makes adjustments to the leading wheels, while a couple railroad police observe the activity and enforce safety. Public display hours today were from 09:00 until 15:00. I chatted with a couple that had driven all the way from Washington State to check out "Big Boy" ... that's dedication!
Photo: Photos of yourself with "Big Boy" as a background were very popular among the crowd. Even "Bowser" enjoyed some of the action!
Photo: You had to hold your iPhone high to take a photo over the crowd!
Photo: This gentleman manages to get some decent video, as Ed Dickens blew the whistle, much to the delight of the crowd.
Photo: Today's weather was crazy, as it was on and off - mostly on - rain showers, with thunder and occasional lightning. Rain gear and umbrellas were mandatory! I'm fortunate as I have great rain gear, so I didn't have to carry an umbrella, which allowed both hands for photography. During the rain showers I developed a simple strategy which worked brilliantly. When a shower would begin, I'd leave the display area, hike around the block, visit the closest bar, and sit on a bar stool and enjoy a Coors beer until the shower ended. Then, I'd go back to checking out "Big Boy" until the next rain shower began, then I'd repeat the process. The strategy worked and I was no worse for wear!
Photo: Commemorative locomotives #1776 and #1616, both nearly new EMD SD70Ms, were in the consist, mostly to help celebrate the tour, and to provide braking and electricity.
Photo: Ed Dickens, master steam engine mechanic and senior manager of U.P. Heritage Operations, sits in the cab and occasionally blows the whistle, much to the delight of the crowd.
Photo: Sunday morning, April 12, 2026, I got up early, and headed to the east switch at Brock, M.P. 123.0, which offers a long view, along with a sweeping curve. I arrived on location around 07:00, as the train was scheduled to depart Roseville at 08:00. The original schedule called for X4014 to travel east on the Roseville Subdivision, but because of the two to feet of snow that fell overnight over Donner Pass - and snow was still falling over the pass this morning - in the interest of safety, all UP trains were being re-routed over the Canyon Subdivision until Donner Pass could be cleared of snow. It's interesting to note the train came in via the Canyon and Valley Subdivisions, so those who lived along the line were getting a bonus, much to the chagrin of those affected by the heavy snow over Donner Pass. A half hour or so before X4014 appeared, a maintenance worker stopped by and lubricated the east switch at Brock. As you may recall, Brock siding is about five miles north - railroad timetable east - of Lincoln, CA.
Photo: At 08:55, "Big Boy" and the train slowly arrived. I was surprised they were in the "hole," which is railroad slang for the siding.
Photo: "Big Boy" pulled up to about 200 yards west of the east switch at Brock, switched off the headlight, and waited for the westbound freight train to pass. Crew members got out to stretch their legs and make sure everything was in order.
Photo: As "Big Boy" took to the siding, Sheridan Lincoln Blvd. was a busy stretch of road, and mostly a parking lot on either side of the road. CHP officers and railroad police kept the chaos under control.
Photo: At 09:05, freight train MHKRV west passed "Big Boy," waiting in the siding, which is an unusual sight in the year 2026. Dummy me, I was chatting with a fellow railfan when the head end of the train rolled through, and I missed the shot. During the day's journey to Portola, other meets would occur, as U.P. was routing all traffic through the Canyon Subdivision until the track over Donner Pass could be cleared of snow.
Photo: At 09:23, the headlight was switched on, and it was time to highball!
Photo: "Big Boy" and train approaching the east switch of Brock siding. I love the view of the entire train as it rounds the curve.
Photo: What a magnificent sight as #4014 steams by. Today was my first time to see this giant start from a dead stop, and it was a sight to behold.
Photo: "Abraham Lincoln," #1616, and #1776 follow behind the water cars.
Photo: The engineer of #1616 waves to the crowd with a friendly smile. All is well on U.P.'s Valley Subdivision on this Sunday morning.
Photo: The time is 09:26, as Business Car #109 brings up the rear of X4014, as the train heads east to Portola, and eventually back to Cheyenne before beginning the eastern leg of the trip in a couple months. Union Pacific Steam Shop Copyright(c) 2026 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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