Tag: big boy

Speaker Series/Museum Activities

Speaker Series

The National Museum of Transportation’s free Speaker Series continues today, Thursday, July 10, at 9:00 a.m., with Susan Croce Kelly’s presentation on “Route 66, The Road the Runs Through Everyone’s Life.” The full 2025 Speaker Series schedule can be accessed by clicking here. We do request you register for the event so we can monitor the limited seating. Thank you!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

We invite you to come visit the National Museum of Transportation! Full of photographic opportunities, historic artifacts, model trains and aircraft, the first F/A-18 Super Hornet, and a Virgin Hyperloop Pegasus pod from the Smithsonian, the Museum is open Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. TNMOT is primarily an outdoor facility.

Our knowledgeable tour guides are available in the Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center to answer your questions about our vintage vehicles. Public guided tours are available at 10 a.m. each open day, weather permitting, no reservation required. Much of our extensive 70-piece locomotive collection is covered under the Roberts Pavilion, plus more nearby, for safe exploring. A tour guide is on hand at the pavilion ready to reply to your inquiries.

The Major Lee Berra Creation Station

The Major Lee Berra Creation Station, an interactive transportation-themed play and educational area geared to one- to five-year olds, has boarding times Monday through Friday, at 9:15 | 10:30 | 11:45 a.m., with an additional $3 per person fee.

The Wm F. Ross Special Miniature Train

The Wm. F. Ross Special Miniature Train operates rides twice around a substantial portion of TNMOT’s property, with knowledgeable and friendly conductors narrating the trip. Train tickets are $7 extra for unlimited rides available Monday – Friday, from 9:20 a.m. – 2:20 p.m., weather and mechanicals permitting.

The Trolley

The historic trolley/streetcar rides are free with Museum admission. The trolley is operated by experienced volunteer conductors Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., subject to weather, mechanicals, car and crew availability.

 

 

 

 

Big Boy UP #4014 Heartland of America Tour

Posted on by Renee Hughes 2

The National Museum of Transportation’s Big Boy’s UP #4006 relative, Big Boy UP #4014, was in St. Louis, Missouri, September, 2024, on its grand Heartland of America Tour. A special guest who has visited our Museum and occupied our Chrysler Turbine car, Jay Leno himself, rode along with Ed Dickens on part of this #4014 tour and was so gracious to film his excursion. Here is a link to Jay’s fun and informative YouTube video. (There are a few commercials, just FYI.)

Here is the YouTube description to whet your appetite to view the video just in case you did not go straight there. “In this special episode, Jay Leno explores the world’s largest steam engine—the iconic Union Pacific “Big Boy.” This 600-ton behemoth, originally built in 1941, is the most powerful steam locomotive ever created. Join Jay as he dives deep into the rich history, mind-blowing technology, and sheer power behind this engineering marvel. Thanks to Union Pacific and National Park Foundation for making this possible! From inside the cab, Jay takes viewers on a once-in-a-lifetime ride, showcasing:

🚂How this 7000-horsepower giant revolutionized American transportation. 🚂Its connection to Abraham Lincoln and the Golden Spike that united the country. 🚂Incredible behind-the-scenes stories of restoring this 80-year-old masterpiece to its former glory.

Witness the raw power of steam like never before, and learn how the Big Boy continues to inspire rail fans of all ages. This is more than just a train—it’s a living piece of history! 🚂 Get ready for some serious horsepower. Don’t miss this episode—it’s Big Boy time! 🚂”

Big Boy Song!

Posted on by Renee Hughes

“Roll On Big Boy” is a song written by Phil Brey with his son’s assistance about the Big Boy UP #4014 that returned to life in 2019 and is presently making its way around the middle of the U.S. throughout August 2021. The Big Boy can be seen rolling past The National Museum of Transportation, how appropriate, around 9:30 am on Monday, August 30, 2021. We are opening at 8:30 am that day and expect a crowd. Go here for the full article on the Big Boy song, its creator, and the process of writing well into his eighties. To only view the song’s video, go here. Thank you, Phil and Mark Brey!

Click here to see a list of our Big Boy products available for purchase.

Big Boy UP #4014 Came to St. Louis!

Posted on by Renee Hughes

Big Boy UP #4014’s came to St. Louis on Monday, August 30, 2021. Watch these videos from the inaugural run of #4014 after its restoration was completed in 2019 to stoke your train flames!

Here’s the Union Pacific video of “Bringing the Big Boy Back to Life” in commemoration of the Gold Spike anniversary, with the restoration of #4014 and the start of its journey.

And here is an ardent fan’s video of the #4014’s touring locations in California in 2019. Have we kindled your interest now?

UP Big Boy #4014 Passed by TNMOT 8/30/2021

Posted on by Renee Hughes

BIG BOY – Big Day!

The Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 passed by-and stopped at!–The Museum of Transportation on Monday, August 30, 2021, at approximately 9:30 am. The Museum has its own UP Big Boy, #4006, and guests visiting St. Louis will want to visit the #4006 and see inside the cab and get up close and experience that “Big Boy” is a well-earned moniker.