PHILADELPHIA, Penn. — Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014 took center stage in Philadelphia on July 4th as tens of thousands gathered for the America250 Block Party, commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“Celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary in Philadelphia is truly spectacular and there’s no better way to honor this milestone than with the world’s largest operating steam locomotive – a reflection of rail’s role in building America,” Vena said. “Big Boy’s first-ever coast-to-coast journey reflects our proud history building communities and our commitment to the future as we continue delivering safe, reliable service that keeps the U.S. supply chain moving.”
Big Boy’s Coast to Coast Tour
The milestone visit is part of the historic Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 coast-to-coast tour, which includes Big Boy’s first journey onto eastern rails since 1941 in partnership with Norfolk Southern to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The railroads are connecting communities and highlighting the continued importance of freight rail to the U.S. economy. Big Boy No. 4014 served as the backdrop for a ceremony featuring Union Pacific Railroad CEO Jim Vena, Norfolk Southern president and CEO Mark George, and Chellie Cameron, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.
“Seeing thousands of people gather around Big Boy and Norfolk Southern’s America’s 250 locomotive series, including The Bell, is a powerful reminder of the role railroads and railroaders have played, and will continue to play, in shaping our country,” George said. “We’re proud to help celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by honoring our shared heritage and the people, innovation and infrastructure that continue to connect communities, power the economy and create opportunities for generations to come.”
The Silver Spike
The event included a ceremonial driving of a Silver Spike, which traveled with Big Boy from Sacramento, Calif., as it paid homage to the Golden Spike that first connected the nation at Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869. The spike commemorates the first-ever coast-to-coast Big Boy tour and will be part of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum’s traveling Experience Car. An actor portraying Charles Carroll – the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence who laid the ceremonial cornerstone for the first commercial railroad in the U.S. on July 4, 1828 – also helped highlight rail’s earliest ties to the nation’s founding.
The Bell
The coast-to-coast tour brings together a unique collection of rail equipment. Norfolk Southern’s historic Marco Polo rail car is a nearly century-old passenger car once used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The specialty locomotive “The Bell” honors the Liberty Bell and Norfolk Southern predecessor Pennsylvania Railroad’s role in transporting it across the country. Two of Union Pacific’s commemorative locomotives – No. 1616 Abraham Lincoln locomotive and No. 1776-America250 – are also part of the historic tour.
The tour ends July 29 in Cheyenne, Wy., after Big Boy travels about 7,000 miles across 14 states. The public can follow the journey through a live tracking map at UPsteam.com. For everyone’s safety, please stay at least 25 feet back from all railroad tracks.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
