SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — The Big Boy reunion at Steamtown National Historic Site is proving to be one of the largest events in Scranton’s recent history, with nearly all available admission slots for Monday already claimed and tens of thousands of visitors expected over two days.
As of Monday morning, fewer than 100 tickets remained available for Monday’s viewing sessions. Only one ticket remained for the noon and 1 p.m. entry windows, while just 84 tickets were available for the 2 p.m. session.
Tuesday still had availability, but tickets are disappearing quickly. A total of 13,736 reservations remained available across the day’s entry windows.
As the Big Boy 4014 slowly pulled into the Steamtown yards Sunday evening, its steam whistle could be heard in many sections of the city – some over a mile away. It was the 4014’s way of letting everyone know it had arrived to meet its sister in a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The overwhelming demand highlights the significance of the reunion between Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 and Steamtown’s permanently displayed Big Boy No. 4012.
Steamtown officials have said they are prepared to welcome as many as 58,000 visitors over the first two days of the event.
To put that figure into perspective, Steamtown National Historic Site typically attracts about 61,000 visitors in an entire year.
That means the park could see nearly a full year’s worth of attendance in just 48 hours.
Rail fans from across the country have traveled to Northeastern Pennsylvania to witness the reunion of the two legendary locomotives, while local communities from Nicholson to Scranton have seen massive crowds gathering along the tracks throughout the weekend.
Big Boy No. 4014 arrived in Scranton following a highly anticipated journey through Northeastern Pennsylvania that drew thousands of spectators to railroad crossings, overpasses and viewing locations throughout the region.
The locomotive will remain at Steamtown through the end of June for maintenance and public display, allowing visitors to see both Big Boy locomotives side-by-side.
Officials continue to encourage visitors to reserve tickets in advance and prepare for heavy traffic, parking delays and large crowds around downtown Scranton and Steamtown National Historic Site.