CITY NEWS FR OM C I T Y H A L L T O YO U R HO ME
POSTAL CUSTOMER PRSRT STD US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 493 OGDEN, UT ECRWSS
March 2026
All Aboard: Big Boy 4014 Steams Back Into Ogden It’s the classic image of a train with the white clouds of smoke swirling around the engine as the melodic whistle cuts through the air, announcing the arrival of something special. The magic of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is enough to transport people to places farther than the next stop-- it takes them back in time. A literal industrial heavy weight, 4014 is barreling its way through Ogden City April 18 and 19, sure to bring thousands of visitors downtown. Hope Eggett, administrator for Museums at Union Station, knows what this visit means not only to the community but also to Ogden’s history. “It’s the most iconic steam engine and it’s significant to Ogden’s history because it’s impossible to separate it from the railroad. The reason we have a city is because of the railroad,” she said. The world’s largest and most powerful steam locomotive still in operation will travel from its home in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to California and back to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday, pulling 11 additional cars and the Golden Spike. With 27 whistle-stops, including a two-day display here in Ogden, the return of Big Boy’s timing also coincides with Ogden’s 175th birthday. “Having the Big Boy visit preserves the look and feel of what build Ogden into what it is today,” Eggett said. “It gives us a change to recognize
what the railroad was able to bring, the jobs and opportunity and turn it into a place of such prosperity. A city that survived 175 years.” Built in November 1941 and weighing 600 tons, 4014 was tasked with pulling massive loads over the Wasatch Range, with its steep slopes and unpredictable weather. Although 25 were built, 4014 is the last one running after being restored in 2019. With its glossy black paint and imposing frame, Big Boy harkens back to time when Junction City was half the size it is today. “It’s a long-gone piece of technology and you don’t see it anymore. Steams were everywhere; they powered everything,” said Garrett Christensen, vice president of the Hostlers Model Railroad Club. “We’re not just talking about an old piece of technology, we’re talking about the biggest piece of old technology. An engineering marvel. It’s special because it built the entire country essentially. Railroad built this country.” There’s still an appetite for trains as evident at the large turnout at the 36th annual Hostler Model Railroad Festival early this month. Hundreds of train enthusiasts of all ages gathered in downtown Ogden to celebrate the hobby and the history. When Big Boy made its way to Ogden in 2024, more than 16,000 people showed up. With the 250 and 175 celebrations, that number is
expected to be higher. “We expect a huge turnout and we encourage people to take Front Runner or public transportation since parking will be tight,” Eggett said. “All those steam engines we see in movies, this is an phenomenal opportunity to see it in real life with the billowing clouds. People want to celebrate the history.” Christensen can’t hide his excitement for a chance to see this titan of history and mechanics once more. “It’s just always so cool and amazing when you see big it is. And how it all works seamlessly as one unit to pull a mile long train back in the day. This interests every age group.” Museums at Ogden Union Station will be open free of charge while Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is in town, giving visitors a chance to explore the city’s railroad heritage alongside one of the most legendary locomotives ever built. The locomotive will be on public display April 18–19, with viewing hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 18 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 19. In addition to its display in Ogden, No. 4014 will make other whistle stops open to the public across northern Utah. The locomotive will stop twice in Morgan on April 2 from 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. and April 20 from 9:30–10 a.m. at the Morgan Depot, located at 98 Commercial Street.
Mayor Nadolski reads to New Bridge students on March 5, 2026
Mayor’s Message
In every season, Ogden shows its strength By Ogden Mayor Benjamin K. Nadolski Every community goes through seasons, and so do each of us. Some seasons are marked by celebration, filled with new opportunities, accomplishments, and milestones in our families and neighborhoods. Other seasons bring challenge, when life feels heavier than we expected. Through it all, I want to take a moment to simply say thank you. Thank you to the people of Ogden. Over the past several months, I have been reminded time and again that what makes this city special is not just the place itself, but most importantly the people who call it home. I see it in the way neighbors look out for one another, in the quiet acts of service that rarely make headlines, and in the willingness of people across our community to step up when it matters most. Recently, I found myself working through a challenge of my own. Like many people, I initially tried to handle it quietly and independently. What made the greatest difference for me was leaning on a small group of friends that I meet with each week. It is a group grounded in faith and fellowship. Nothing formal or complicated, just a handful of people who consistently show up for one another. During that time their encouragement, honesty, and support helped me more
than they probably realize. And to be honest, they did not just encourage me. They confronted me when I needed it, challenged my instincts, and helped me see things more clearly. Moments like that remind me why meaningful human connections matter so much in our lives. It also reminded me that what I experienced in that small group is happening all across our city every day. It happens in families, in neighborhoods, in faith communities, in volunteer groups, and in friendships. It happens when someone checks in on a neighbor, when a group organizes to support a cause, or when people simply take the time to listen and care. You do not always see it. You rarely read about it. But it is there, and it is powerful. They are the people who celebrate when your child graduates, when you land a new job, or when a dream begins to take shape. But they are also the people who show up when life gets hard. They are the ones who sit with you when you are struggling, who check in when things are not going well, and who help carry a burden when you cannot carry it alone. Sometimes it is a conversation over coffee. Sometimes it is a meal, a ride, a prayer, or simply someone willing to listen. That is what builds a strong community. A city is not defined only by its buildings, its roads, or its See STRENGTH on page 3