The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau - Episode 116 - 05/31/2026

As officials in cities and towns across the nation finalize their plans to mark America's 250th birthday this July 4th, a marvel of 20th Century industrial and technological innovation is on a historic tour east of the Mississippi. It's Union Pacific's Big Boy 4014, a massive steam locomotive that has rail fans coast to coast lining up for a glimpse.  And likely when the Big Boy rumbles past them, they'll see conductor Ed Dickens poking his head out the window, waving at them, and blowing the Big Boy's booming whistle.  But before he fired up its engine, Ed Dickens took some time for The Commonwealth Beat, to give us the low-down on the Big Boy 4014, and what to expect if you live in one of the 12 Pennsylvania cities or towns where it will stop this summer.