The Feather River Rail Society announces that on Wednesday, July 10, it will host a visit by Union Pacific’s famed Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operational steam locomotive. According to Union Pacific, 25 Big Boys were built, with the first being delivered in 1941. Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence, No. 4014 is the only one operating today.
The “Big Boy Westward Bound” tour will make a stop July 10 in Portola, providing a unique opportunity for viewing the locomotive at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum. “This will be a rare chance for you to see this awesome locomotive in person,” say organizers. In addition, the museum will be providing several special activities on that day, including the following:
- Caboose train rides.
- Motorcar rides provided by West Coast Railroads Group.
- Tours of historic equipment.
- Model train exhibits, including Diablo Pacific and Wandering Railroad.
- Food trucks and more.
The museum will open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. the day of the event. Parking is limited at the museum.
Access to view Big Boy No. 4014 requires admission to the museum. Admission includes caboose train and motorcar rides. Before July 10, tickets can be purchased online at http://www.WPLives.org/BigBoyTickets or in the WP Museum Store at the museum. The day of the event, visitors will present their online receipt or ticket voucher at the entry gate to receive their wristband(s) and car pass, or they can purchase tickets at the entry gate. Wristbands are required for admission.
Pre-event tickets cost $20 for general admission and $10 for those age 5 – 18 or 65 and over, and active military. Children 4 and under are free. At the entry gate on event day, prices will be $25 and $15, respectively. Feather River Rail Society members receive free admission with their membership cards. FRRS members with individual memberships get one free admission, members with sustaining memberships receive two free admissions, and members with family memberships get two adult and three youth admissions.
Organizers remind visitors to keep safety top of mind:
- Stand back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks.
- Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are private property, meaning trespassing is forbidden.
- Viewers should never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive: ALWAYS expect a train.
Note that schedules and events are subject to change. The FRRS reports that it is not responsible for any changes to the event caused by outside factors such as mechanical breakdowns or schedule changes.
For more information and additional announcements, visit http://www.WPLives.org/BigBoy. The Western Pacific Railroad Museum is located at 700 Western Pacific Way, west of Old Town Portola, across the Feather River from California Highway 70.
Information provided by Western Pacific Railroad Museum
