Where to stand, when to go and how to stay safe while photographing Big Boy 4014 and its surviving sisters.
Seeing Big Boy in person is the goal. Getting the shot comes second to doing it safely and legally. Union Pacific's guidance for steam chasers is simple: stand back at least 25 feet from all tracks, never trespass, and always expect a train.
Home Base: Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Cheyenne Depot Museum: a 1887 Richardsonian Romanesque depot at 121 W 15th Street. Spotatrain recommends the Depot Plaza for the facade, afternoon light and the second-floor viewing area.
- Holliday Park: Big Boy 4004 sits outdoors at East 17th Street and Morrie Avenue, free year-round. A good static subject for detail shots.
- Borie: a county-road overpass near WY-225 where track 3 splits from tracks 1 and 2. Morning light favors westbound trains, and a long lens (200 to 400 mm) helps against the Laramie Mountains backdrop.
- Cheyenne Frontier Days (late July): the UP heritage fleet often appears here.
Sherman Hill
West of Cheyenne is Sherman Hill, where the Big Boys worked toward the end of their careers. Railfan trip reports from 2019 name Dale, Hermosa and Buford as popular spots, with fog and crowds at Dale. These are public-roadway locations, but conditions change, so scout on the day.
Ogden, Utah
Ogden's Union Station was the western end of the Big Boy's old territory and hosted display days in 2019, 2024 and 2026.
On Tour
- Check Union Pacific's steam schedule and tracker for whistle stops and display days.
- Display days are the best bet for close-ups. Stops can be as short as 15 minutes.
- Arrive early; crowds were large at big events.
Gear Tips
- A mid-range telephoto lens handles most trackside action.
- Steam is photogenic in cool, damp mornings, per fans' reports from 2019.
- Wind in Cheyenne is notorious; protect your gear.
Looking for the other survivors? See Where Big Boy Locomotives Are Today. Learn the lingo before you go with the Railroad Terminology Glossary, and check the Big Boy 4014 Tour History for what is next.
Dress for the trackside with the Big Boy 4014 Shirts & Merch, railroad hoodies and train stickers for your camera bag.
Shop Big Boy Gear
Love the engine? Wear it. Browse the Big Boy Coast to Coast Tour Commemorative Collection, the full Big Boy 4014 Shirts & Merch collection, or more railfan gear for the railroad lovers in your life. Every design is made by Broken Knuckle Apparel, a veteran-owned small business.
Keep Reading in the Big Boy 4014 Knowledge Hub
- Where Big Boy Locomotives Are Today
- Big Boy 4014 Tour History
- Railroad Terminology Glossary
- What Railroaders Mean by “Highball”
Start with the complete guide to Big Boy 4014 for the full overview.