Steam locomotive to make whistle stop in Oroville

Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 the world’s largest active steam locomotive will make a whistle stop at the old Oroville train depot on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Oroville, California. (Union Pacific/Contributed) OROVILLE — A legend from the past will be rolling into town Thursday when the Union Pacific Big Boy No.

4014 steam locomotive makes a whistle stop at the old Oroville Depot. The world’s largest operating steam locomotive will arrive at 2:15 p.m.

at the old depot, 2191 High St., and depart at 2:45 p.m.

for Roseville. The Oroville stop is one of just 19 whistle stops the train that was “built to conquer mountains” is making this summer during its 2024 Westward Bound Tour from Wyoming to California. “Oroville has a huge train history,” said Mayor Dave Pittman.

“It will be nice to see a big part of that history return to Oroville even for a brief moment.” At 1:45 p.m.

, prior to the train’s arrival, Danny Ballard, local historian, will present a brief history on the old depot and the Big Boy No. 4014 in the parking lot on the east side of the depot. Lori Pierce, owner of Kusel’s Big Store, and her staff will be giving keychain train whistles to the first 70 people who arrive to welcome the train.

“We also have little American flags we’re passing out for people to wave the train through town,” said Pierce. “We love a train and it’s a great little whistle stop to take advantage of for people to come together to show our pride for our beautiful.