A captivating sight occurred in Oroville on Thursday, as a blast from the past rolled into town. The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive is the world’s largest operating locomotive.
On July 11, 2024, the Big Boy made a whistling stop from 2:15 pm to 2:45 pm, at the Old Train Depot as part of the Union Pacific heritage program. Oroville is one of the 19 whistle stops the train is making this summer during its 2024 Westward Bound Tour from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Roseville, California.
People were gathered around the Old Depot as the train came into town, many staking there spot in the intense heat for more than three hours. There were a couple of booths set up– one had some information and gift bags for people about the train and the city of Oroville and another booth offered water bottles and snow cones for sale for the people standing outside in the triple-digit heat to gaze at the Big Boy locomotive.
According to Oroville city officials, 1,340 people came to see the Union Pacific Big Boy 4104 locomotive.
“Oroville has a huge railroad history. Many people in town either worked for the railroad companies or have family members who did. Oroville had sawmills back in the ’30s and ’40s, and the railroad would carry the lumber from the area through the canyons and valleys. It’s a place with a lot of history,” said Oroville Mayor Pittman, who was among the city officials that attended the event.
Many others who attended loved how much their children enjoyed the whistles and steam from the train, applauding with loud cheers.
“I came to see the history of it, the fun, and even in the triple-digit heat doesn’t bother me. A friend told me about it and I just got off work and came to check it out,” Alex had to say.
Richard came out to see Big Boy because it is a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” Most participants were like Bailey and Nick who just loved “the history and fascination” of the Big Boy.
After the train left the station at Oroville it headed to Roseville where it will be on display for two days, from Friday, July 12 from 9 am to 3 pm to Saturday, July 13, from 9 am to 3 pm at the Vernon Street Square, 311 Vernon St., Roseville, CA.
Roseville will offer celebrations with live music, food trucks, performances by Black Flag Gang, and a kid’s zone. The Carnegie Museum will have an exhibit featuring the history of the Big Boy, at 557 Lincoln St. Roseville, CA. on July 13.
Twenty-five Big Boy locomotives were built for Union Pacific to haul freight over the steep grade of the Wasatch Mountain Range in Utah during World War II. Built from 1941-44, the locomotives were 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds. Eight were preserved after they were retired in the 1960s. After a complete restoration, Big Boy No. 4014 is the only one still in operation.
