Online ticket sales ended 6 am Monday July 8.
Purchase tickets at the gate on the day of the event.

Union Pacific's legendary Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive built to conquer mountains, will visit the Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola.

Downloadable PDF file of Big Boy Celebration Event museum map

Latest update for Big Boy Celebration attendees: HERE!

The FRRS is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, we will be hosting a visit by Union Pacific’s famed Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest steam locomotive!

The "Big Boy Westward Bound" tour will make a stop on July 10, in Portola, California providing a unique opportunity with the locomotive for viewing from the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.

This will be a rare chance for you to see this awesome locomotive in person. In addition, the WPRM will be providing several special activities on that day, including:

• Caboose train rides
• Motorcar rides
• Tours of historic equipment
• Model train exhibits
• Food trucks
• and more!

The museum will open at 9 AM and close at 6 PM the day of the event. Parking is limited at the museum.

FRRS Sustaining and Life members will get advance access to the museum on event day, July 10. Any Sustaining or Life / Family Life member can get in between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM pre-event and get an early chance to see the Big Boy.

Access to view the “Big Boy” requires admission to the museum. Admission includes caboose train and motorcar rides. Purchase admission and get your wristband at the entry gate. Admission will require wristband.

Tickets are $25 general admission and $15 for those 5-18, 65 and over, and active military. Children 4 and under are free. . Feather River Rail Society members are free with their membership cards *. Members must bring their membership cards to get entry wristbands.

More information for FRRS Members HERE!

Don’t miss this rare chance to see the world’s largest operating steam locomotive!

The Western Pacific Railroad Museum is located at 700 Western Pacific Way, west of Old Town Portola, across the Feather River from California Highway 70. Our website is www.WPLives.org. Don’t miss this rare chance to see the world’s largest operating steam locomotive!

Keep Safety Top of Mind

• Stand back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks.
• No coolers or oversize bags, and no chairs, step ladders or any other standing platforms will be allowed in the Big Boy viewing area.
• Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are private property - do not trespass.
• Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive - ALWAYS expect a train.

* - FRRS members in good standing as of noon 7/9/24 with individual memberships (Associate, Active, Life) get 1 free admission, Sustaining members receive 2 free admissions and family levels (Family, Family Life) get 2 adult and 3 youth admissions.

NOTE: Schedules and events subject to change. The FRRS is not responsible for any changes to the event caused by outside factors such as mechanical breakdowns or schedule changes.

UP’s Big Boy 4014 schedule:

• Arriving late afternoon/early evening July 9^th, 2024
• On Display with paid admission July 10^th
• Leaving Portola for Oroville/Roseville July 11^th at 8:00 am

More information to follow as we get it. If you would like to get an email with the details, please subscribe to our WPRM News Email list HERE!.

UP News Release Heritage & Steam HERE!