Celebrating America's 250 across the Norfolk Southern network

Jul 24, 2026

This summer, Norfolk Southern welcomed Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 to its network for the East Coast portion of the tour, joining Norfolk Southern's America’s 250 commemorative locomotive series in a once-in-a generation celebration of America's railroad heritage.

Over several weeks, hundreds of thousands of people attended six public display stops and eight employee and family events across the NS network to experience one of the world's most iconic locomotives and celebrate the vital role railroads have played in building, connecting, and supplying our nation for nearly 250 years.

The tour brought together railroaders, friends, families, communities, and railfans from across the country. More than 250 NS volunteers worked alongside the Union Pacific team to create memorable experiences at every stop.

Norfolk Southern volunteers for the America 250 celebration

From New York to Pennsylvania and Ohio, each stop reflected the unique communities that make up the NS network while creating new opportunities to celebrate the stories, people, and places behind American railroading. Together, Big Boy, NS's commemorative locomotives, and the historic Marco Polo passenger car served as rolling symbols of the industry's enduring impact and its connection to our country's past, present, and future.

In our words

“Big Boy’s Coast-to-Coast tour celebrating America’s 250 was an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the role railroads have played in building our nation while bringing communities closer to the industry that keeps America moving. While the historic locomotives captured attention, what made this experience truly special were the people behind it. Across every stop, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific employees worked side by side to create safe, memorable experiences for hundreds of thousands of visitors. Their professionalism, teamwork and pride were on full display. As we reflect on this remarkable journey, we’re reminded that rail’s story is not only rooted in our history — it’s being written every day by the dedicated railroaders helping shape its future.” — Mark George, Norfolk Southern President and CEO

FORT WAYNE

Photo credit: Walter Paige

The America's 250 journey on the NS network began in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where over 750 employees and their families gathered at East Wayne Yard to welcome Big Boy No. 4014 as it officially entered NS territory and kicked off the East Coast tour.

BUFFALO
The first public display stop took place in Buffalo, New York, one of the nation's most important freight gateways. Following a special employee event at Bison Yard, more than 28,000 visitors came out to see Big Boy No. 4014 and the America's 250 train consist in person.

BINGHAMTON

The celebration continued in Binghamton, New York, with an employee and family night where over 420 attendees gathered to celebrate America's 250 and recognize the railroaders whose dedication, service, and teamwork help keep communities connected and freight moving across the network every day.

SCRANTON
Few places preserve the legacy of steam railroading like Scranton, Pennsylvania. Home to Steamtown National Historic Site and generations of railroad history, the city remains one of America's most recognizable rail communities. The stop gave more than 111,000 visitors a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 displayed alongside Steamtown's own Big Boy No. 4012, the first time two Big Boy locomotives had been together since the early 1960s. The historic reunion drew railfans from near and far, creating an iconic moment on the East Coast tour.

PHILADELPHIA

The East Coast tour reached a milestone in Philadelphia, where over 100,000 people gathered on Independence Day weekend to celebrate in the birthplace of American independence. NS CEO Mark George and Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena joined local leaders to recognize the historic partnership between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, and the role railroads have played in connecting communities and supporting the nation's growth.

ALTOONA

Few places are more closely connected to NS's history than Altoona, Pennsylvania. Over four days, nearly 60,000 people attended employee and family events, public displays, and a special viewing at the iconic Horseshoe Curve as the tour made its way through one of America's most storied railroad communities.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro joined Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific leaders to recognize Altoona's deep railroad roots and enduring impact on the industry. The stop also marked the first time all three locomotives in Norfolk Southern's America’s 250 series were displayed together, making it especially meaningful in the very town where they were painted at Juniata Locomotive Shop.

The celebration culminated at Horseshoe Curve, where the Railroaders Memorial Museum hosted a special viewing that allowed visitors to watch Big Boy No. 4014 and the America’s 250 train consist navigate one of the most iconic landmarks in American railroading.

Throughout the weekend, Altoona's craftsmanship, innovation, and pride were on full display, honoring the generations of railroaders whose work continues to shape the industry today.

CONWAY

The celebration continued in Conway, Pennsylvania, at one of the largest and most complex operations facilities on the NS network. More than 2,100 employees and their families gathered for a special event celebrating the team that makes Conway's success possible. Coming on the heels of Conway's recent one-year injury-free milestone, the event recognized the team's commitment to safety and operational excellence.

FOSTORIA

The East Coast portion of the tour concluded in Fostoria, Ohio, where over 46,600 people attended the employee and family event and final public display. Following Altoona, the stop featured all three locomotives in Norfolk Southern's America250 series together on one train, providing a fitting finale to a journey that connected communities, celebrated railroad heritage, and welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors across the NS network.

Looking ahead

The East Coast tour celebrated more than historic locomotives. It honored the people, the communities, and railroad heritage that helped build America and continues to power its future.

While the East Coast tour has come to a close, Norfolk Southern's America’s 250 celebrations continue as the three remaining locomotives in the America’s 250 commemorative series will be unveiled in the coming months.

In August, Norfolk Southern will join the N.C. Transportation Museum's America 250 Locomotive Celebration, bringing together commemorative locomotives from railroads across the country in a shared tribute to America's railroad heritage.

Learn more about Norfolk Southern's America’s 250 celebrations here.

By Parker Whidby, Senior Social Media Manager

Parker Whidby leads Norfolk Southern’s enterprise-wide social media strategy, shaping the brand’s voice and presence across every platform. She joined the railroad in 2023 with more than a decade of expertise in social media, brand storytelling, community management, and influencer engagement.