One of the most legendary locomotives in American history will make a rare appearance in North Platte later this month.
Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 is scheduled to steam through North Platte on May 27 as part of the railroad’s nationwide America 250 Tour. While North Platte was not selected as an official whistle stop on the tour, community members will still have a chance to see the massive steam engine from the 7th and 8th floors of the Golden Spike Tower between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The Golden Spike Tower, located at 1249 North Homestead Road, overlooks Bailey Yard and offers one of the best public views of rail activity in the country. Admission is required to access the viewing floors.
Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive and remains one of Union Pacific’s most recognizable pieces of railroad history. Its stop in North Platte is expected to draw rail enthusiasts and visitors eager to witness the historic engine in motion.
The America 250 Tour celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States and recognizes the impact of the transcontinental railroad on the nation’s growth and economy.
Big Boy began its first-ever coast-to-coast journey from Sacramento, California, where construction of the first transcontinental railroad began in 1863. The tour stretches across 14 states and includes a planned Fourth of July appearance in Philadelphia before concluding July 29 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
“This tour honors our past while embracing a future rooted in innovation and possibility,” Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said. “The transcontinental railroad was a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, uniting east and west and laying the foundation for a freight rail system that continues to drive our economy today.”
Although North Platte is not listed among the official whistle-stop communities, the locomotive’s pass-through still carries special meaning in a city long tied to railroad history. Home to Bailey Yard, the world’s largest classification rail yard, North Platte remains one of the most recognizable railroad communities in the country.
The Golden Spike Tower said the May 27 appearance will provide visitors with “a rare chance to witness one of the world’s largest and most iconic steam locomotives from the unmatched vantage point” of the tower’s upper floors.
Additional tour details and updates are available through Union Pacific’s Steam Club at UPSteam.com.