Local

World's largest steam locomotive Big Boy No. 4014 stops in Struthers. What to know

By Edited by Jessica Payne. Produced with AI assistance.
Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 will make a scheduled whistle-stop in the Valley as part of a coast-to-coast tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 will make a scheduled whistle-stop in the Valley as part of a coast-to-coast tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Jessica T. Payne

The world’s largest operating steam locomotive is rolling into Struthers soon, giving northeast Ohio residents a rare chance to see a piece of American railroad history up close.

Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 will make a scheduled whistle-stop in Struthers on July 12 as part of a coast-to-coast tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

The free public viewing will take place east of South Bridge Street from 11:30 a.m. until noon.

Key takeaways

  • What: Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest steam locomotive in operation, is making a 30-minute whistle-stop in Struthers.
  • When: Saturday, July 12, from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
  • Where: East of South Bridge Street in Struthers.
  • Cost: Free to view.
  • Why it matters: This is the first time the locomotive is traveling through the Midwest, and No. 4014 is the only Big Boy still in operation.
  • Safety note: Organizers ask all viewers to stay at least 25 feet back from railroad tracks.

A massive machine with a historic mission

The numbers behind Big Boy No. 4014 are staggering. The locomotive stretches 132 feet in length and weighs roughly 1.2 million pounds, making it the largest steam locomotive still in operation anywhere in the world.

Built during World War II, No. 4014 is one of just eight Big Boys still in existence today, according to Union Pacific. Of those eight, it is the only one that still runs under its own power. The rest are stationary, preserved as museum pieces or public displays.

The locomotive was restored to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion in 2019. Since then, it has become a traveling ambassador for American rail history, drawing crowds wherever it stops.

A first-time Midwest tour

For the first time, Big Boy is traveling through the Midwest, with scheduled stops in northeast Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and New York. The coast-to-coast tour is designed to mark America’s 250th anniversary, and Union Pacific has built the itinerary around short whistle-stops in communities along the route.

Those stops are typically 15 to 30 minutes long — just enough time for spectators to see the locomotive in action, hear its whistle and get a closer look at a machine that once hauled heavy freight across the American West.

The Struthers stop falls squarely in that window, with a 30-minute viewing scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

What to expect at the viewing

Visitors planning to attend should prepare for crowds. Big Boy has drawn thousands of onlookers at past whistle-stops on previous tours, and the Midwest debut is expected to attract railroad enthusiasts, families and history buffs from across the region.

Organizers of the coast-to-coast tour are emphasizing safety. Everyone is asked to stay back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks during the viewing. That distance is meant to protect spectators from moving equipment and to give the locomotive crew room to operate safely.

There is no admission fee, no ticket required and no formal program. The event is a straightforward public viewing — a chance to see the locomotive, take photos and experience the sight and sound of a working steam engine.

Why Big Boy matters

Big Boy locomotives were designed to pull heavy freight trains over steep mountain grades, particularly in the Wasatch Range between Wyoming and Utah. Union Pacific built 25 of them between 1941 and 1944, and they remained in service into the late 1950s before diesel locomotives replaced them.

No. 4014 spent decades on static display in Pomona, California, before Union Pacific reacquired it and began a multi-year restoration project. The locomotive returned to steam in May 2019, in time for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah.

Since its restoration, No. 4014 has traveled thousands of miles on public tours, becoming one of the most photographed and celebrated pieces of railroad heritage in the country.

Planning your visit

For anyone hoping to catch the Struthers stop, a few practical tips can help:

  • Arrive early. With only 30 minutes of viewing time, parking and finding a good vantage point will be easier before the crowds build.
  • Bring water and sun protection. The July viewing will be outdoors in the late morning.
  • Follow crew instructions. Union Pacific personnel and local officials will be on hand to direct spectators and enforce the 25-foot safety perimeter.
  • Leave pets at home if possible. Large crowds and the sound of a steam whistle can be stressful for animals.
  • Bring a camera. The locomotive is a striking sight, and the whistle-stop format offers plenty of photo opportunities.

The Struthers appearance is one piece of a much larger journey. As Big Boy continues its Midwest tour, communities across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and New York will get their own chance to see the largest steam locomotive still in operation — a rare intersection of engineering history and small-town celebration in the run-up to America’s 250th birthday.