News

The World’s Largest Steam Locomotive is coming to the Alamo City!!!

  • Posted October 18th 2019, 12:25 AM
  • By IronHorse

That’s right, the newly restored Union Pacific #4014 “The Big Boy” is touring the UP System to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad, and making a stop in San Antonio. and is going to be on public display right next to San Antonio’s Steam Locomotive.

For public safety reasons, cab tours of the Big Boy are NOT Likely.  However, members of the Friends of the SP794, a division of the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum, will be available for SP #794 cab tours and answer questions.

The last time an operating steam locomotive in downtown San Antonio was in 2006.  So don't miss out on being part of a history and Come on out and support Steam Rail Heritage!!! 
 

Southern Pacific Locomotive #794


There is a San Antonio "Icon" that is not as popular as icons like the Alamo and the Giant Cowboy Boots at North Star Mall, but it still represents San Antonio and San Antonio's history in its own unique way.  It is the Southern Pacific steam locomotive #794.

She has over a 100-year history here in San Antonio.  She was built in 1916 by the Brooks Locomotive Works in Dunkirk, NY, for the Texas and New Orleans (T&NO) Railroad, which was a subsidiary of the Southern Pacific Railroad.  She was transported to Texas was operated for forty years while being based in San Antonio.  794 was used for freight service as well as passenger service.

She was retired from service in 1956 and presented to the City of San Antonio and the Chamber of Commerce, February 22, 1957, in Maverick Park.  Then she was later brought home to the newly renovated Sunset Station, January 24th, 1999.


  • Operational photos of SP 794 - McAllen, TX

  • Operational photos of SP 794 - Houston, TX

  • Operational photos of SP 794 - Hustler (Train No. 15)

  • Operational photos of SP 794 - Hustler (Train No. 15)