Norfolk Southern collaborating with Union Pacific for the first ever "Big Boy" tour of the Northeast

Tour honors America's 250th Anniversary

As both railroads celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Norfolk Southern will welcome Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, onto its network for the engine's first trip through northeastern states.

Why it matters: Railroads have powered America’s growth for generations and continue to play a critical role today. This celebration highlights the people, infrastructure, and innovation that keep the economy moving while connecting communities to the history that shaped them.

A historic moment on NS rails

The tour will operate across the NS network, marking a historic collaboration between two of the nation’s storied railroads. On NS rails, the locomotive will appear at major display events in five cities:

• June 10 – Buffalo, New York
• June 15-16 – Scranton, Pennsylvania
• July 4-5 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• July 9-10 – Altoona, Pennsylvania
• July 14 – Fostoria, Ohio

Connecting communities through shared history

For nearly 200 years, NS and our predecessor railroads have served communities across the Ohio Valley, Pennsylvania, and the Northeast. As Big Boy travels through these regions, it will follow corridors shaped by rail, from historic rail hubs to communities where freight remains woven into local economies.

What we’re saying

“Railroads helped build this nation by connecting people, communities and commerce – work carried forward for generations by dedicated railroaders,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Mark George. “As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Union Pacific’s Big Boy’s return to the East on Norfolk Southern rails reflects a shared legacy.”

Bringing the full railroad story to life

For this tour, and while on our network, the consist will include one of our 250 commemorative engines and historic passenger cars. In the coming weeks, we will unveil our America’s 250 commemorative locomotive series as part of our celebration. More on this soon!

By Dawn Benton, Assistant Vice President, Strategic External Communications
 

Dawn Benton is Assistant Vice President of Strategic External Communications at Norfolk Southern. She leads the company’s external communications strategy, including media relations, executive visibility, and issues management.