On July 13, the Big Boy 4014 rolled through The Land, celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary. 

The Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. Originally commissioned by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1941, it was designed for carrying heavy freight through the mountains of Wyoming and Utah, along with support for World War II. 

Weighing 1.2 million pounds, 133 ft. long, and then taking coal (now it is powered by No. 5 fuel and water), it can carry up to 6,000 tons. After traveling over 1,000,000 miles, it retired in 1961. 

Now, of a group of twenty-five, it is the only operating steam locomotive. The other members of the 4014 family are in museums to view. This locomotive was restored for the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. It now carries historical cars and occasionally serves as a museum. 

But on July 13, its steam power whistled down the valleys and residential streets of Rocky River, Ohio, just 20 minutes out of downtown Cleveland. At around 1 p.m., it arrived at the River Depot, crossing over Lake Erie. People gathered, putting their best semi-centennial quarters on the tracks, to flatten and take home with them later. Operators of the locomotive waved their hats out of the side of the carts.

Its whistle and power had all in awe, with many people recording and taking pictures as it passed by. 

The locomotive is on its way back to its home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The locomotive had passed through 14 states, showing its glory to citizens of the United States. It had one last stop in Ohio, in Fostoria.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to a close and the finish of America 250, the morale for the United States is higher than ever, and the Big Boy is one of those exciting moments.

Karmyn Allen is a staff writer. Contact her at [email protected].