‘Big Boy’ No. 4014 back in Placer County on nationwide tour. How to see inside
Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014, the historic steam locomotive, is scheduled to travel through Sutter and Placer counties as part of its coast-to-coast tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, a “transcontinental journey that honors our nation’s growth, innovation and unity since its founding in 1776.”
The Big Boy is scheduled to make a stop in Marysville at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, along 7th Street between B Street and Yuba Street. Spectators are encouraged to view the train from Chestnut Street between 7th and 8th streets.
The train will then make a brief stop in Lincoln later that day. It is scheduled to stop near 7th Street for 15 minutes from 4:30 to 4:45 p.m. Lincoln will be designated an official “Train Town USA” by Union Pacific during the visit, with city officials and local residents in attendance.
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The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will distribute “Big Boy Bingo” cards at the event, encouraging visits to downtown establishments from Thursday through Sunday. Each stamp will be worth one point toward a grand prize, a Downtown Lincoln specialty gift basket.
After departing Lincoln, the train is scheduled to travel to Roseville and stop at 375 Atlantic St.
Visitors will be allowed to tour the train for free from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10.
The restored baggage car features a traveling museum, offering a glimpse into the past while telling the modern-day story of railroading.
A new addition this year includes a display of an original Louisiana Purchase proclamation, a document published in 1803 by the National Intelligencer.
On Saturday, April 11, visitors can again tour the train from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During that time, the city of Roseville will be hosting activities at Vernon Street Town Square from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a makers market and live music.
Roseville Mayor Krista Bernasconi said the city is proud to have Big Boy return to Roseville.
“Big Boy’s return isn’t just a nod to our past; it brings visitors from across the region to explore the shopping, dining, events, and attractions that make Roseville such a vibrant place to be,” she said.
Union Pacific officials said Roseville remains a key rail hub and home to many of the company’s employees, underscoring the city’s longstanding ties to the railroad industry.
“We had such a great time in Roseville in 2024, and we’re expecting it to be even better this time around,” said Peggy Ygbuhay, a spokesperson for Union Pacific. “We have a long and storied history together that underscores the vital role railroads have played and will continue to play for generations to come.”
After the two-day stop in Roseville, the train is scheduled to continue to Colfax for a short visit from noon to 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 12. It will then travel to Truckee for another brief stop from 4:45 to 5 p.m. that same day before continuing east into Nevada.
Twenty-five Big Boy locomotives were originally built during World War II to haul freight over steep grades in Utah, featuring a massive articulated design and a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement that helped power heavy loads over mountain terrain. No. 4014, stretching 133 feet long and weighing up to 1.2 million pounds fully loaded, is the only one still in operation today.
As part of its 2026 tour, Big Boy is traveling across multiple states in two segments, covering the West Coast in April before heading east and culminating in a Fourth of July appearance in Philadelphia.
This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 7:00 AM.
