Economy
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with World’s Largest Steam Locomotive in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, July 06, 2026--Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014 took center stage in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July as tens of thousands gathered for the America250 Block Party, commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
About this update from Union Pacific Corporation
PHILADELPHIA, July 06, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Union Pacific's legendary Big Boy No. 4014 took center stage in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July as tens of thousands gathered for the America250 Block Party, commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary. The milestone visit is part of the historic Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 coast-to-coast tour, which includes Big Boy's first journey onto eastern rails since 1941 in partnership with Norfolk Southern to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary. The railroads are connecting communities and highlighting the continued importance of freight rail to the U.S. economy. Big Boy No. 4014 served as the backdrop for a ceremony featuring Union Pacific Railroad CEO Jim Vena, Norfolk Southern President and CEO Mark George, and Chellie Cameron, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. "Celebrating our nation's 250th anniversary in Philadelphia is truly spectacular and there's no better way to honor this milestone than with the world's largest operating steam locomotive – a reflection of rail's role in building America," Vena said. "Big Boy's first-ever coast-to-coast journey reflects our proud history building communities and our commitment to the future as we continue delivering safe, reliable service that keeps the U.S. supply chain moving." "Seeing thousands of people gather around Big Boy and Norfolk Southern's America's 250 locomotive series, including The Bell, is a powerful reminder of the role railroads and railroaders have played, and will continue to play, in shaping our country," George said. "We're proud to help celebrate America's 250th anniversary by honoring our shared heritage and the people, innovation and infrastructure that continue to connect communities, power the economy and create opportunities for generations to come." The event included a ceremonial driving of a Silver Spike, which traveled with Big Boy from Sacramento, California, as it paid homage to the Golden Spike that first connected the nation at Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869. The spike commemorates the first-ever coast-to-coast Big Boy tour and will be part of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum's traveling Experience Car. An actor portraying Charles Carroll – the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence who laid the ceremonial cornerstone for the first commercial railroad in the U.S. on Jul...
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