Large crowds turned out across central Pennsylvania on Wednesday to see the world’s largest operating steam locomotive as it continues on its coast-to-coast tour in honor of America’s 250th birthday.
The 132-foot long freight train could be seen on Norfolk Southern tracks in several locations near Centre County. It made a stop in Lewistown and passed through Tyrone before arriving in Altoona, where it is scheduled to be on display to the public on Thursday and Friday.
The Big Boy’s tour started in April in California and the eastern leg kicked off in May. It has been in Pennsylvania since mid-June, including several days in Philadelphia for the Fourth of July holiday.
It’s the first time Big Boy No. 4014 has been east of the Mississippi since it was built in Schenectady, New York, in 1941.
Photographer Greg Guise was in Lewistown on Wednesday to capture the historic passage.
A crowd watches as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 travels through Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseA crowd watches as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 makes it way through Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 stops in Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 stopped in Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseA crowd watches as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 stops in Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014, seen in Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, was built in 1941 in Schenectady, New York and was in service in the western U.S. for about 20 years. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 in Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseA crowd watches as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 stops in Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseA crowd watches as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 stops in Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 stopped in Lewistown on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, during its coast-to-coast tour commemorating America’s 250th birthday. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 near McVeytown in Mifflin County on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Greg Guise
Guise was also on hand in Dauphin County on Tuesday as Big Boy crossed the historic Rockville Bridge, the longest stone masonry arch bridge ever constructed at 3,820 feet.
Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 crosses the Susquehanna River on the Rockville Bridge near Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 crosses the Susquehanna River on the Rockville Bridge near Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 crosses the Susquehanna River on the Rockville Bridge near Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 near Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 near Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 near Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseUnion Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 crosses the Rockville Bridge near Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseAmerica 250 commemorative engines are seen as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 crosses the Rockville Bridge near Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Greg GuiseA crowd watches Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 near Harrisburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Greg Guise
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