Locomotives are exceptionally well-covered on outlets like All Things Trains. But it’s not often that mass-market publications like The Wall Street Journal produce in-depth pieces that are focused on any aspect of railroading. Union Pacific #4014, the only operational of the 8 surviving Big Boys has made trains popular again…atRead More →
Union Pacific’s Big Boy had a tremendous week, traveling from its display location in Philadelphia for the 2026 Fourth of July weekend and into the railroad company town of Altoona, PA. Public and private events in the heart of the Pennsylvania Railroad were followed by traversing the famous Horseshoe CurveRead More →
One fan of Union Pacific’s Big Boy had a very, very bad day. The Facebook page Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad w/Jason Asselin shared video of a hapless fan who stood next to the rail as the Big Boy and her train were approaching during its Eastern tour. After bringingRead More →
President Donald J. Trump has signaled support for the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. However, President Trump has also proposed that the government take a 15% stake in the combined company. This proposal comes at an interesting time for both the merger partners and the industry as a whole, whichRead More →
Richard K. “Dick” Davidson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both the Union Pacific Railroad and its parent Union Pacific Corporation, died on May 31, 2026 at the age of 84. The Allen, KS native grew up in a rural home that lacked running water, before eventually hiring out onRead More →
As we speak, Union Pacific #4014–the only operating Big Boy–is traveling over Norfolk Southern’s former Nickel Plate Road main line, headed eastbound. The NKP was very well-known for its fleet of fast Berkshires and Hudsons, but the Big Boy will be the most-watched of the steamers to hit the carrier’sRead More →
On June 2nd, the Union Pacific Railroad introduced GE ET44AC (A C45ACCTE in UP parlance) #4547, honoring President Donald J. Trump and commemorating America’s 250th Birthday. The locomotive is dressed in white, red, deep blue, and gold, in an arrangement reminiscent of the new Air Force One scheme. It’s firstRead More →
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board accepted the merger application submitted by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, Thursday. However, the Board immediately postponed the proceedings, requesting additional information including an environmental review. For the full story from Railway Age, click here: STB Accepts UP-NS Revised Merger Application; Delays Proceedings – RailwayRead More →
Big news from Steamtown: Union Pacific’s Big Boy, #4014, will be coming to Scranton to be displayed from June 17-30, 2026. This will see the engine travel down the former Erie Lackawanna Railroad’s Scranton Division mainline, including the Tunkhannock and Kingsley viaducts, and put it in the company of theRead More →
On April 22, 2026 the Surface Transportation Board issued an exemption approving construction of the Green Eagle Railroad in Eagle Pass, TX. This proposed carrier, established in the wake of the 2023 immigration-related embargo of rail service through Eagle Pass, is part of a broader effort to offer fluid rail-Read More →
