The world’s largest operating steam locomotive will travel throughout Pennsylvania for the first time in June and July as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration.The Union Pacific train, known as Big Boy No. 4014, is among eight of its kind in existence and the only one still in operation, according to Union Pacific.
It will traverse 23 states within Union Pacific’s railway network, first stopping in North East, in Erie County, on June 9. Big Boy No. 4014 makes its last Pa. stop on July 11 in Leetsdale, in Allegheny County. Along the way, the train stops in Philadelphia July 4-5 for a Fourth of July celebration.
The 133 feet long, 1.2 million ton steam engine is a “beast of a machine,” according to Union Pacific spokeswoman Robynn Tysver.
“They will hear it long before they see it,” she said. “You can feel the steam, and almost feel the ground shaking as it rolls in.”
Here is the full schedule of where and when you can see the ‘Big Boy’ locomotive in the commonwealth:
- North East, Erie County: Arriving June 9 at 11:30 a.m. near Lake Shore Railway Museum, departing at 11:40 a.m.
- Nicholson, Wyoming County: Passing through the Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct June 13 at 10 a.m.
- Nesquehoning, Carbon County, to Pittston, Luzerne County: Sold-out passenger special to Pittston, June 14.
- Scranton, Lackawanna County: Ticketed viewing at the Steamtown National Historic Site June 15-16 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This site will also offer ticketed viewing June 17-30 during train maintenance.
- Reading, Berks County: Arrives at 1:30 p.m. July 2 at Reading & Northern Outer Station and departs at 2:15 p.m.
- Pottstown, Montgomery County: Arrives at 3:30 p.m. July 2 at Pottstown Train Station and departs at 3:45 p.m.
- Philadelphia: Big Boy will be on display July 4-5 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Intrepid Avenue and League Island Boulevard. Tickets are not required.
- Lebanon, Lebanon County: Arriving at Lebanon Station July 7 at 12:30 p.m., departing at 1:15.
- Lewistown, Mifflin County: Arriving at Roadhouse Road crossing July 8 at 12:45 p.m., departing at 1:15.
- Altoona, Blair County: Arriving at 5:15 p.m. at Railroaders Memorial Museum July 8, departing at 5:45 p.m. Free shuttle access July 9-10 at Peoples Natural Gas Field to get to the locomotive that will be on display 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Big Boy will be at the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Site July 11, where ticketed viewing is sold out.
- Cresson, Cambria County: Arriving July 11 at Cresson Railroad Park at 10:45 a.m., departing 11:15 a.m.
- Leetsdale, Allegheny County: Arriving July 11 at First Street/Avenue A and Ferry Street at 6:15 p.m., departing 6:45 p.m.
You can find more information about the Big Boy No. 4014 tour on Union Pacific’s website.
Keystone senior newsletter editor Patrick Berkery contributed to this report.
