KEARNEY, Neb. – A lifelong train lover from Nebraska is recovering from a spinal injury after he fell approximately 8 feet while attempting to climb aboard the legendary Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, one of America's most iconic steam locomotives, during a public whistle-stop event.
The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, occurred on May 29 as the massive locomotive made a stop in Kearney as part of its 2026 coast-to-coast tour celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Trevor Allen Bentley, a Kearney resident and dedicated railfan, was trying to enter the cab of the behemoth engine when he lost his grip on a ladder and tumbled backward onto the tracks below.
In the dramatic video circulating online, Bentley can be seen in a safety vest gripping the side of the black steam engine marked "4014."
As onlookers watch from the gravel ballast, he slips and falls, landing hard on the ground. Fellow enthusiasts and crew members immediately rush to his aid, helping him as he lies on the tracks.
Bentley later told reporters he had been inside the cab of the Big Boy before and believed he could safely make the climb. "A boyhood dream got dashed as I fell 8 feet off of Big Boy 4014 before I got the chance to relive it," he shared in a social media post following the accident. He sustained a small fracture to his spine but is expected to recover.
The Big Boy 4014, built in 1941 and the only operating survivor of its class, stands as a towering symbol of American industrial might. At 132 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, the articulated steam locomotive was designed to haul heavy freight over the rugged mountains of the West. Union Pacific restored it to operational glory, and it has drawn massive crowds on its current nationwide tour.
Safety protocols at such events typically restrict public access to the locomotive, but whistle-stops often allow fans close views and photo opportunities. The video has sparked discussions online about the risks of climbing on historic equipment, with some users joking about the need for harnesses while others expressed sympathy for Bentley's enthusiasm turning into a painful lesson.
Union Pacific has not released an official statement on the specific incident, but the railroad has emphasized safety throughout the Big Boy's tour. The engine continues its journey, reminding Americans of the power and heritage that helped build the nation.
Bentley's story highlights the deep passion many hold for America's rail history and the importance of respecting the sheer size and danger of these engineering marvels, even when chasing a dream.
