Nominate Ed Dickens for Times Person of the Year!
The issue
Every year, TIME honors an individual whose actions have had a profound impact on the world—not necessarily through politics or entertainment, but by shaping culture, inspiring people, and defining a moment in history.
In 2026, few people embody that spirit more than Ed Dickens and his crew.
As Union Pacific's Heritage Operations leader and the engineer behind the restoration and operation of Big Boy No. 4014, Dickens has spent years preserving one of America's greatest engineering achievements. But this year, his work reached an entirely new audience.
The historic Coast-to-Coast Tour brought Union Pacific's legendary Big Boy No. 4014 east of Chicago for the first time since the locomotive was built in the 1940s. Thousands lined the tracks in small towns and major cities alike, while millions more followed the journey online. Families gathered with lawn chairs, photographers waited for hours at crossings, and children experienced a working steam locomotive for the very first time. The tour served as a rolling celebration of America's 250th anniversary, connecting generations through living history.
Behind every whistle, every departure, and every flawlessly executed mile was Ed Dickens and the dedicated steam crew he leads.
Restoring Big Boy No. 4014 from a museum exhibit into the world's largest operating steam locomotive was already considered one of the greatest preservation achievements in railroad history. Yet Dickens has continually demonstrated that preservation is about more than restoring machinery—it is about keeping history alive through motion, education, and public engagement. Under his leadership, Big Boy has become far more than a locomotive; it has become an ambassador for American engineering, craftsmanship, and determination.
The 2026 East Coast tour highlighted Dickens' ability to unite people across generations and backgrounds. Railroad enthusiasts stood alongside first-time spectators. Veterans, engineers, families, students, and lifelong railfans all shared the same excitement as 1.2 million pounds of living history rolled past. In an era often defined by digital experiences, Dickens reminded millions of the power of seeing history firsthand.
His influence extends beyond the railroad community. Through careful planning, unwavering commitment to safety, and relentless dedication to historical authenticity, he has transformed a steam locomotive into a national symbol of innovation and perseverance.
Ed Dickens has shown that preserving history is not about looking backward—it is about inspiring the future.
For bringing America's largest steam locomotive back to life, for leading one of the most ambitious railroad preservation programs ever undertaken, and for creating a once-in-a-generation event that captivated millions during the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, Ed Dickens is a compelling candidate for TIME Person of the Year.
His achievement was not measured merely in miles traveled, but in the countless memories created, the renewed appreciation for American history, and the reminder that extraordinary engineering can still inspire awe in the twenty-first century.
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The issue
Every year, TIME honors an individual whose actions have had a profound impact on the world—not necessarily through politics or entertainment, but by shaping culture, inspiring people, and defining a moment in history.
In 2026, few people embody that spirit more than Ed Dickens and his crew.
As Union Pacific's Heritage Operations leader and the engineer behind the restoration and operation of Big Boy No. 4014, Dickens has spent years preserving one of America's greatest engineering achievements. But this year, his work reached an entirely new audience.
The historic Coast-to-Coast Tour brought Union Pacific's legendary Big Boy No. 4014 east of Chicago for the first time since the locomotive was built in the 1940s. Thousands lined the tracks in small towns and major cities alike, while millions more followed the journey online. Families gathered with lawn chairs, photographers waited for hours at crossings, and children experienced a working steam locomotive for the very first time. The tour served as a rolling celebration of America's 250th anniversary, connecting generations through living history.
Behind every whistle, every departure, and every flawlessly executed mile was Ed Dickens and the dedicated steam crew he leads.
Restoring Big Boy No. 4014 from a museum exhibit into the world's largest operating steam locomotive was already considered one of the greatest preservation achievements in railroad history. Yet Dickens has continually demonstrated that preservation is about more than restoring machinery—it is about keeping history alive through motion, education, and public engagement. Under his leadership, Big Boy has become far more than a locomotive; it has become an ambassador for American engineering, craftsmanship, and determination.
The 2026 East Coast tour highlighted Dickens' ability to unite people across generations and backgrounds. Railroad enthusiasts stood alongside first-time spectators. Veterans, engineers, families, students, and lifelong railfans all shared the same excitement as 1.2 million pounds of living history rolled past. In an era often defined by digital experiences, Dickens reminded millions of the power of seeing history firsthand.
His influence extends beyond the railroad community. Through careful planning, unwavering commitment to safety, and relentless dedication to historical authenticity, he has transformed a steam locomotive into a national symbol of innovation and perseverance.
Ed Dickens has shown that preserving history is not about looking backward—it is about inspiring the future.
For bringing America's largest steam locomotive back to life, for leading one of the most ambitious railroad preservation programs ever undertaken, and for creating a once-in-a-generation event that captivated millions during the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, Ed Dickens is a compelling candidate for TIME Person of the Year.
His achievement was not measured merely in miles traveled, but in the countless memories created, the renewed appreciation for American history, and the reminder that extraordinary engineering can still inspire awe in the twenty-first century.
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Petition created on 29 July 2026