Altoona, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro joined leaders from Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern to welcome Union Pacific’s historic Big Boy No. 4014, the Heritage Fleet — including the Abraham Lincoln No. 1616 and America250 No. 1776 locomotives — and Norfolk Southern’s America 250 Series, featuring Liberty Bell, Lady Liberty, The Freedom, the Landmark Altoona, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Heritage locomotive, to Rose Yard in Altoona as part of a celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary..
Big Boy 4014 is one of 25 locomotives that were first commissioned by Union Pacific in the 1940s and is one of eight that remain in existence today. The remaining seven non-operational locomotives are on public display at Scranton’s Steamtown National Historic Site, and in Missouri, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
"Railroads transformed our Commonwealth into a powerhouse of the Industrial Age, and we are proud to honor that heritage by welcoming this iconic locomotive to communities across Pennsylvania as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary,” said Governor Shapiro. “Our Commonwealth helped build America's railroad industry, from pioneering some of the nation's earliest railroads to producing the steel rails that connected a growing country and fueled America's success. This historic tour is more than a celebration of our past — it's an opportunity to welcome visitors to Pennsylvania, support local businesses, and showcase everything our Commonwealth has to offer as the birthplace of American freedom and democracy."
Union Pacific’s tour started on July 1 for a 14-city swing through Pennsylvania, traveling on Norfolk Southern’s rail network. Throughout this tour, Big Boy 4014 has visited cities throughout the Eastern and Southeastern regions of the Commonwealth, with Altoona chosen as one of the tour's marquee public stops.
“Altoona stands at the heart of America’s railroad legacy, and it’s fitting that we’re celebrating that history here in Pennsylvania. We’re proud to partner with Union Pacific to bring Big Boy to the East Coast for the first time in more than 80 years, giving communities the opportunity to experience a living piece of rail history,” said Mark George, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern. “As our nation celebrates 250 years of independence and Norfolk Southern approaches 200 years of service, this tour honors the railroaders, innovation, and partnerships that helped build America—and continue to move it forward today. It was our honor to host the Governor to see it up close today.”
"Union Pacific Railroad is honored to visit the Keystone State as part of Big Boy’s first-ever coast-to-coast tour. This iconic locomotive hauled heavy equipment in the rugged West during World War II and, today, serves a living, breathing piece of America's history that represents the ingenuity, determination and rail heritage that helped build our great country,” said Jim Vena, CEO of Union Pacific Railroad. “We're proud to share Big Boy with Pennsylvanians as a reminder of rail's role in shaping the next 250 years and we look forward to everything we're doing to expand rail and make it more competitive in the U.S."
Altoona was selected as one of the marquee stops due to its deep railroad heritage, strategic importance as a critical hub for Norfolk Southern’s operations, and the craftsmanship of the employees at Juniata Locomotive Shop who painted several of the locomotives on display. Approximately 100,000 spectators attended the event.
Pennsylvania was home to one of America’s earliest railroads and today, there are approximately 5,600 miles of railway track throughout the Commonwealth. Each year, these rails carry nearly 170 million tons of freight and offer cross-state rail service, bolstering the Commonwealth’s economy and carrying forward Pennsylvania’s historic role in the development of the United States’ railway system.
At the conclusion of Union Pacific’s America250 tour, Big Boy 4014 will have traveled 7,000 miles coast-to-coast, marking the first time a Big Boy has crossed the Mississippi River since they were produced.
Welcoming the World to Pennsylvania for America250
As the birthplace of American democracy, Pennsylvania has been front and center in 2026, welcoming millions of visitors to major cultural and sporting events that have contributed to the Commonwealth’s tourism industry. Union Pacific’s tour through Pennsylvania this month has built off of Pennsylvania’s America250 celebrations while honoring the Commonwealth’s industrial heritage, already attracting more than 200,000 spectators.
Tourism is a key priority in Governor Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy — and the industry has been surging. Under the Shapiro Administration’s leadership, Pennsylvania’s tourism industry has grown by $7 billion and 30,000 jobs. In 2024, the Commonwealth welcomed over 201 million visitors who generated a record-breaking $84 billion for Pennsylvania’s economy and supported more than half a million Pennsylvania jobs.
Over the last three years, Governor Shapiro has rebranded Pennsylvania as the “Great American Getaway” and secured $67.5 million in funding to get Pennsylvania ready to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial celebration.
Learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to support Pennsylvania’s workers and businesses and spur the economy, to build a stronger, more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.