Information Regarding the Big Boy #4014 in Railroad City (Altoona)

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Scroll down for info on the Railroaders Memorial Museum benefit dinner on 7/9.

Safety Reminder for All Viewing Events

Visitors are encouraged to keep safety top of mind while attending the event.
1. Stay at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks and equipment at all times. This includes drones (where drones are allowed).
2. Railroad tracks, yards, trestles, and rights-of-way are private property. Do not trespass.
3. Never assume railroad tracks are inactive or abandoned. Always expect a train.
4. Be a safe and courteous driver when traveling to and from the event.
5. Please be aware that portions of the event are located within an active railroad environment and may include uneven walking surfaces that could present accessibility challenges.

For the Union Pacific Big Boy schedule, click here.

Viewing Opportunities & Dates

July 8th:  It will be arriving in Blair County. Arrival and event details are below.

Tyrone: Parking lot opens at 8AM. Parking fee is $20 per vehicle and is cash only. Shuttle service runs continuously between 8AM-6PM. Shuttle lot information can be found here.
Bags will be checks for everyone's safety. Weapons are prohibited (no firearms, knives, etc).
For more details visit Tyrone Area Historical Society on Facebook.
For Big Boy event information visit the Tyrone Events and Promotions page on Facebook. There will be food, unique vendors and other family fun.

Bellwood: Big Boy Steam Engine Watch Party at Main Street Mercantile. Big Boy themed merchandise, specials throughout the day and family friendly atmosphere. More information to come.

Altoona: This public viewing will be on the rail between the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Amtrak station. The Museum and its parking lot are open to those who purchase admission to the Museum. The parking lot next door to the Museum at UPMC Station Medical Center is closed on this day. The locomotive will arrive around 5:15PM at this location and will depart around 5:45PM.
Cost: FREE
Address: 1200 9th Ave Altoona, PA 16601
Museum admission for parking, click here.


July 9th & 10th:  The Railroaders Memorial Museum has nothing to do with these events. They are being facilitated by Norfolk Southern. This viewing is at Rose Yard but shuttling will be available at People Natural Gas Field (Altoona Curve Baseball) and at the Logan Valley Mall. The public viewing event hours are 8AM-2PM.
Cost: FREE
Shuttle Addresses: 1000 Park Ave Altoona, PA 16602 & 5580 Goods Ln Ste 2178, Altoona, PA 16602 (west end)
ADA parking and shuttles available at 1000 Park Ave.
Walk-in Entrance: Rose Yard ; 8th Ave and 5th St. Altoona, PA

Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific will host a free, two-day public event in Altoona as part of the America’s 250th celebration, featuring Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014.

The locomotive will travel across Norfolk Southern’s network as part of its first coast-to-coast tour, highlighting the role railroads have played in connecting communities and supporting the nation’s growth over the past 250 years.

THE ALTOONA STOP WILL INCLUDE: Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 on public display, as well as Norfolk Southern’s America’s 250 locomotive series, including: The Bell,  The Lady Liberty, The Freedom

Additional Norfolk Southern locomotives, including: The Altoona (Landmark series), The Atlanta (Landmark series), Pennsylvania Railroad heritage unit, Norfolk Southern Safety Train, Union Pacific Experience Car (a traveling rail history museum), Operation Lifesaver (rail safety education exhibit)

Other event details
Lawmen Band performances
Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific giveaways
Photo opportunities

UNION PACIFIC: media@up.com - NORFOLK SOUTHERN: media.relations@nscorp.com

Big Boy FAQs

July 9th - Railroaders Memorial Museum Benefit Dinner:  This event is at the Blair County Convention Center and will feature retired Norfolk Southern CEO, Wick Moorman as our keynote speaker, presenting “21st Century Steam… and Beyond”, an inspiring look at the vision, passion, and dedication behind preserving America’s steam locomotives.

Guests will enjoy an elegant dinner, a silent auction, and exclusive look at the Union Pacific Steam Era Exhibit.

VIP ticket holders will also attend a private reception from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. with industry leaders. VIPs will receive a more curated experience with the Union Pacific Steam Era Exhibit and priority seating that is closest to the stage.

You can purchase a Reserved Full Table (seats 8) or Individual Tickets.The evening program and dinner will follow from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Proceeds from this evening directly support the Railroaders Memorial Museum’s mission to preserve and share the railroad history of Altoona. This is our opportunity, as Blair County, to extend our gratitude to Union Pacific and to the individuals dedicated to preserving steam locomotives.
For tickets, click here.

July 11th:  This is a private viewing at the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark and is for ticket holders only. This event is sold out. The Big Boy #4014 will be arriving around 9:30AM. DETAILS ARE BELOW.
Shuttle Address: 1200 9th Ave Altoona, PA 16602


Procedures for The Big Boy #4014 event at the Railroaders Memorial Museum & Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark on 7/11/26

PLEASE READ EVERYTHING CAREFULLY. IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE EVENT.

Absolutely no weapons (guns, knives, etc) will be allowed on the Railroaders Memorial Museum or Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark property. Law enforcement and security will be present at both sites.

We have implemented a CLEAR BAG policy for this event. No backpacks will be allowed on either property. You will be allowed one CLEAR BAG per person boarding the shuttles. VIPs will be allowed one CLEAR BAG per person that arrives at the Horseshoe Curve. Bags that are not CLEAR BAGS, will not be allowed inside of the CLEAR BAG, this includes lunch bags.

You are able to bring food and drinks inside of your CLEAR BAG, as long as the bottle is clear and the food are individually wrapped items such as candy bars, crackers, granola bars, sandwiches (wrapped in clear packaging), etc.

You will be required to be wanded for weapons and your bags will be searched quickly upon entering the facility.

You may bring a camera as long as it is inside of your CLEAR BAG.

You may bring a tripod and/or umbrella as long as they don't take up any extra space in the shuttle. You must hold your items on your lap or in front of your person.


• No Further Sales: We do not plan to offer more tickets, and there is no waitlist.


• Refunds/Transfers: As stated in the event description, tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. This is also a rain or shine event.


• Identification: While having a copy of your ticket is helpful, it is not required. You will have to provide a valid state ID at check-in.

THE OBSERVATION AREA ON THE TOP OF THE HILL WILL BE LIMITED. THE SPACE UP THERE IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

VIP DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU ACCESS TO THE OBSERVATION ARE, IT ONLY ALLOWS YOU PRIORITY ACCESS WITH A VEHICLE AND ALLOWS YOU TO BE THERE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES EARLY.

Veterans Memorial Hwy that leads to the Horseshoe Curve will be blocked to ALL TRAFFIC, except for those with VIP tickets/badges. You will not be able to walk, bicycle or bring a vehicle through from 7/11 (evening of 7/10) at midnight to 7/11 at noon.


Parking & Transportation


• VIP Ticket Holders: You are the only guests permitted to park on-site at Horseshoe Curve. Your ticket includes parking and admission for all passengers up to your vehicle's seat capacity. (Note: Minivans and SUVs with 6+ seats require two tickets). VIPs must enter the Horseshoe Curve location from the East (Altoona side). Any traffic that attempts to enter from the West (Glen White/tunnel side), will be turned away. PLEASE HAVE YOUR VALID ID READY TO SHOW AT THE CHECKPOINT. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A VALID ID OR YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN YOUR VEHICLE THAN YOUR TICKET PERMITS, YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

VIPs, YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE HORSESHOE CURVE BETWEEN 5-8AM. If you arrive later, you may be turned away.

VIPs will be processed through the security tent before entering the courtyard or gain access to the observation area.

Again, Please do not bring chairs with you to the event.


• General Admission: You must park at the Railroaders Memorial Museum or the Station Medical Center parking lots. Parking is free with your admission. The Railroaders Memorial Museum parking lot will be limited to those individuals that require handicap parking, and must have the proper placard in/on your vehicle. Exceptions may be made upon arrival but decisions will be at staff's discretion. All others must park in the Station Medical (our neighboring lot) parking lot and walk to the Museum entrance.


The line will be on the sidewalk along 9th Avenue from the Museum, down past McDonalds.

If you are handicap, you will be able to access a shorter line, closer to the entrance.


• Shuttles: Shuttles will run continuously throughout the day. All general admission holders must use the shuttle from the Museum; the road to Horseshoe Curve will be closed to public traffic.


• Logistics: The Museum parking lot will open at 4:30am. Gates will open at 5am. Shuttles will begin boarding at 5am (with the intention of the first shuttle departing at 5:15am) and the last shuttle will leave the Railroaders Memorial Museum around 8:45am. You must be through security at the front gate prior to 8:00am, so please arrive early. If you are not through security by 8am, you will not be permitted to go to the Horseshoe Curve.

Shuttle Departures After The Big Boy Exits: The Horseshoe Curve is not open for regular business on 7/11. As soon as the Big Boy exits the Curve, shuttles will begin boarding for people to exit the Horseshoe Curve. This will happen at approximately 10:15am. VIPs will immediately make their way to their vehicles for departure. You will not be permitted to “hang around”.

Twilight at the Curve Event: This event takes place later in the day, but requires separate admission. This event takes place from 5-10pm. You will be required to leave the property until 5pm. The Museum location is also staying open until 10pm on this day to coincide with the Twilight event. Purchase tickets to the Twilight at the Curve event here - https://www.railroadcity.org/admission


Event Day Guidelines


• Standing Room Only: This is a standing-room-only event. No chairs are allowed on the shuttles or to be taken from VIP ticket holders' vehicles. Limited seating is reserved only for those purchasing food from vendors.


• Viewing Areas: Space is first-come, first-served. The observation area has limited capacity; additional standing room is available at the bottom of the hill near the museum and gift shop.


• Prohibited Items: Drones are strictly prohibited. Anyone operating a drone will be asked to leave.


• Equipment: Camera tripods are permitted but must not take up extra space on the shuttles.


• Pets: Only documented service animals (on a leash) are permitted.


• Weather: This is a rain or shine event.


WEAPONS OF ANY TYPE ARE PROHIBITED AT BOTH SITES.


Museum & Amenities


• Museum Hours: The Railroaders Memorial Museum will be closed on 7/8 and open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on 7/9 & 7/10. The Museum will have extended hours to match the Twilight at the Curve event on 7/11 and will be open 9AM-10PM.


• Discount: Event ticket holders receive 10% off museum admission on 7/11/26. A discount code will be shared with you soon.


• Facilities: Porta-potties will be available in the parking lot. We aim to have the funicular and UTV transport vehicle operational for the event.