Jay Leno is probably better-known for his Jay Leno’s Garage series and collection of 81 automobiles and 160 motorcycles, among which are several early 20th century Stanley Steamers, than for his 17 years hosting The Tonight Show. Recently, he enjoyed a ride aboard a much, much larger (and far safer) steamer: Union Pacific Big Boy 4014.
Union Pacific and the National Park Foundation welcomed Leno and his production team aboard 4014 and UP’s Heritage Fleet passenger railcars during a tour across western Iowa. Leno visited the Heritage Fleet facility, where the locomotive and restored passenger cars are maintained. He had breakfast in the dining car (“he loved the bacon,” UP noted), and rode in 4014’s cab from Missouri Valley to Denison, Iowa, with Manager-Heritage Operations Ed Dickens and other members of the railroad’s Steam Team.
Leno’s experience occurred during UP’s 10-state, 8-week Heartland of America tour. The railroad sponsors the National Park Foundation, and the episode of Jay Leno’s Garage “honors Union Pacific’s role transporting visitors to our nation’s parks, including Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon and Death Valley, in the early days of their formation,” UP said. ”Now, Union Pacific works to inspire the next generation’s love of the outdoors and curiosity about the world around them through the National Park Foundation’s Open OutDoors for Kids program.”
Jay Leno’s Garage featuring 4014 will be available to watch on Leno’s YouTube channel Sept. 23. Here’s a preview:
