WYOMISSING, Pa – From Wernersville to Wyomissing, they waited.
“As you can see, there’s an awful lot of people out there,” said John Bukowski of Wernersville.
From near and far they came.
“I put Dosie Dough bakery in my Mapquest thing and drove from Maine to here,” said Donald Verger of Maine.
All to catch a glimpse of the Union Pacific Big Boy.
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“The largest operating steam engine in the United States,” Bukowski said. “That thing is huge.”
It’s initial trip through Berks County is still on the minds many rail fans.
“Especially because I had to wait a bunch of days just to see the train because last time it turned into a mass casualty event,” said Vivian.
It’s not secret, this whole Big Boy thing really did a number on us, but we’re doing a number on it, too.
“You’ll notice that it was really working hard to get up the hill,” said Michael Marburger of North Carolina.
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Despite heat, clouds, drizzle and hours waiting, many say it’s worth it for once or perhaps a twice in a lifetime experience.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this I said to my wife it’s twice in a lifetime opportunity ‘cause I saw it on its way down,” Bukowski said.
There’s a lot of talk about “lifetime” amongst the those lined up along the rails.
“It’s big it’s loud and it’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Marburger said.
Catching a glimpse of the Big Boy is marking a moment in time.
“The excitement of the Big Boy,” said Roseane Hess of Wernersville.