There are moments that remind us history doesn't simply live in museums or on the pages of books.
Sometimes, it rolls right past us.
Last week, communities across the Southern Tier gathered along railroad tracks, bridges, crossings, and small-town streets to witness something extraordinary: Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 making its way through our region as part of its historic East Coast tour.
For the first time this summer, the world's largest operating steam locomotive traveled east as part of a coast-to-coast journey celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
Like many of you, I had been eagerly following the route. Sadly, I was unable to attend in person.
But thanks to a new partnership with talented photographer Emily J. of Miley Jade Art, I was able to experience the journey through her lens. Emily spent days chasing Big Boy through the Southern Tier, capturing moments that stopped me in my tracks.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
After seeing her photographs, my first thought was how true that sentiment really is.
My second thought?
Now find the words tucked within the images.
Honestly, it has taken me a few days.
Because these aren't simply photographs of a train.
They are photographs of wonder.
In one image, Big Boy crosses a towering bridge above cascading water, reminding us that innovation and nature have long shared the American landscape. In another, storm clouds gather overhead while the locomotive stands defiant—steel, steam, and determination against a dramatic sky.
A reflection in rain-soaked pavement transforms the massive engine into a work of art. A golden sunset frames the tracks ahead, as if lighting the way between our past and our future.
And perhaps that's what makes Big Boy so captivating.
It isn't just the size of the locomotive, though standing beside it, one can only imagine feeling wonderfully small. It isn't merely the engineering marvel it represents, or the decades of history carried within every rivet and wheel.
It's what it symbolizes.
An era when America dreamed boldly.
When innovation connected communities.
When railroads stitched together distant towns, carried families westward, transported goods across the country, and helped build the nation we know today.
Watching Big Boy move across the landscape feels like watching history breathe.
Even through photographs, there is a timeless sense of awe.
The whistle echoes with memories many of us never personally experienced yet somehow still recognize. The steam rising into the summer sky feels familiar, like a reminder that our shared stories matter.
As we approach America's 250th anniversary, Big Boy No. 4014 serves as more than a celebration of railroading history.
It reminds us that the American story is one of perseverance, ingenuity, craftsmanship, and connection.
It's living history.
And for a few unforgettable days, that history rolled through the Southern Tier.
Thank you, Emily, for chasing the miles, waiting at crossings, and capturing these remarkable moments so the rest of us could experience them through your eyes.
Because sometimes the most powerful stories aren't told with words alone.
Sometimes they arrive in a cloud of steam, beneath dramatic skies, carrying the echoes of generations before us.
And sometimes, all we need to do is pause, look closely, and listen.
Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka.™
Photography courtesy of Emily J., Miley Jade Art.
Inspired by the beauty of the Finger Lakes, Emily's work captures the landscapes, moments, and stories that connect us to the places we call home. Her photographs of Big Boy No. 4014 remind us that history isn't simply remembered—it can still be experienced.
You can explore more of Emily's photography, digital art, and locally inspired creations at Miley Jade Art.
You can also visit Emily in person at The Windmill Farm & Craft Market, where Miley Jade Art is located in Building 3.
Store Information:
• Building 3
• 3900 NY-14A
• Penn Yan, NY 14527
• Open Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
While you're there, take time to explore more than 175 shops, local artisans, fresh produce vendors, wineries, and handcrafted treasures that make The Windmill such a beloved Finger Lakes destination.
To purchase Big Boy 2014 Photos and more: Visit
Miley Jade Art
Keuka Roots™, Reflection: Welcome to the Family, Emily J.
At Keuka Roots™, we believe every community has stories worth telling—and sometimes, those stories are best captured not with words, but through the lens of a camera.
Today, we are excited to officially welcome Emily J. of Miley Jade Art to the Keuka Roots team.
Emily has a remarkable gift for finding the extraordinary in everyday moments, preserving the beauty, history, and spirit of our region through her photography. Her recent pursuit of Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 across the Southern Tier reminded us that photographs do more than capture images—they capture emotion, connection, and the feeling of witnessing history unfold.
When Emily shared her images with us, we were left speechless. Truly, words failed us. But perhaps that's the beauty of photography—it speaks when words cannot.
As Keuka Roots continues to celebrate the people, places, and stories that make our region so special, we're honored to partner with talented local artists like Emily who share our passion for preserving the moments that connect us.
You'll be seeing more of Emily's incredible work featured across Keuka Roots in the months ahead, and we can't wait to share the stories we discover together.
Please join us in giving Emily a warm Keuka welcome. We are so honored
Here's to new friendships, shared stories, and seeing Keuka through a new lens,
.
Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka.™
