Rail News – UP’s ‘Living Legend’ to join Big Boy No. 4014 for holiday tour. For Railroad Career Professionals

Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 will depart Nov. 21 for a limited holiday tour in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

The Big Boy will travel from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Denver; at Greeley, Colorado, Big Boy will be joined by UP’s “Living Legend” No. 844 locomotive, which will make its first public appearance since 2019.

The two 1940s-era steam locomotives will be on display at Denver’s Union Station that day for a holiday event with limited-edition gifts, UP officials said in a press release. More details on the holiday tour will be available in the coming weeks. 

Built in 1944, No. 844 hauled some of UP’s most recognizable passenger trains, including the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger. It was the last steam locomotive built for UP, and the only Class I North American steam locomotive never permanently retired from service.

Tickets for the holiday fundraising tour and a ride in vintage passenger cars pulled by Big Boy and No. 844 go on sale to patrons of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum Oct. 16; remaining tickets will be available to the public Oct. 19. Tickets are adults only; families are invited to Denver’s Union Station to view the locomotives.