Be ready: 'Big Boy' to make quick stop in Lincoln

Editor's note: The photo of the locomotive appearing from the trees is now credited to Alan Lampe. The city of Lincoln has a long association with railroading, and specifically with the Union Pacific Railroad. The city (originally a Town) was incorporated to be the temporary terminus of the California Central Railroad, whose president was Charles LINCOLN Wilson; yes, we're named for Mr. Wilson, not President Lincoln. The saying, "If you build it, they will come" certainly applied to our early history, because soon after the railroad arrived, businesses and residents moved into the town from the surrounding areas and mining camps. Lincoln soon became the transportation and trading hub of western Placer County. The Union Pacific's pamphlet "Building America" notes, "On July 1, 1862, after decades of debate and disagreement on the matter, (President Abraham) Lincoln brought the transcontinental railroad to life with a stroke of his pen. And with that same stroke, he created Union Pacific. The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 gave the work of building the railroad to two companies: Central Pacific, an existing California railroad, and a new railroad chartered by the Act itself – Union Pacific. Today, an average of 12 freight trains pass through the city every day. Of course, 2026 is the 250th celebration of the country, and to celebrate this event, Union Pacific has dedicated engine Big Boy No. 4014 to a coast-to-coast journey, starting in California and ending in Pennsylvania. Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific, the first of which was delivered in 1941, and they certainly live up to their name, being 133 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds. Engine No. 4014 was retired in December 1961 after traveling 1,031,205 miles. Union Pacific will designate Lincoln as an official "Train Town USA" during its brief stop on Thursday, April 9. City dignitaries and local residents will welcome Engine 4014, accompanied by several historical passenger cars and two other commemorative locomotives at its programmed stop at 7th Street. The ceremony will be short but sweet with 4014 departing precisely at 4:45 p.m. Spectators to this unique event should plan to arrive early because parking will be limited in the immediate vicinity of the stop. The best viewing will be on the west side of the tracks. To help commemorate the Big Boy experience, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will roll out "Big Boy Bingo." Chamber members will distribute special Bingo cards that display downtown restaurants, bars and other establishments at the event. Get your cards stamped anytime at the businesses from Thursday afternoon through Sunday and you will get one point for each stamp with a grand prize being a Downtown Lincoln Specialty Gift Basket. Big Boy, accompanied by several historical passenger cars and two other commemorative locomotives, will make five whistle stops in the area. The entire rolling display will be open to the public in Roseville at 375 Atlantic Street from 1-5 p.m. on April 10 and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 11. Visitors will get the chance to experience the Union Pacific Rail Car in Roseville. This restored baggage car now serves as a traveling museum, providing a glimpse of the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading. This year, it will also display an original Louisiana Purchase Proclamation, a document outlining the specifics of the purchase that changed America's future. Union Pacific reminds all rail fans to keep safety top of mind and stay 25 feet back from the tracks when taking a picture or viewing this mammoth machine. That means never take a picture or video standing on the track or the ballast and never climb on the locomotive or equipment. The public can also follow along with Big Boy's adventure on its X account, @UP_Steam. Fans can share their safely taken photos on Facebook, Instagram or X, using the hashtags #BigBoyHeadsWest and #UP4014.