The historic locomotive is drawing in visitors from across the country and world as it sets up shop at Steamtown National Historic Site
SCRANTON, Pa. — Cars sat at standstill as crowds of people flocked to downtown Scranton.
Outside of Steamtown National Historic Site, park rangers and city cops tried and keep the trains running on time. It was easier said than done.
The Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, arrived in Scranton on Sunday night, and fans of the nearly 400-ton behemoth were not far behind.
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“The enthusiasm with young people and older is amazing, I think,” Bob Bishop, of Rhode Island, said. “Technology has come a long way, and to see something from the past like this and so many people interested, I think it’s great.”
Monday morning saw thousands queue in lines that stretched blocks along Lackawanna Avenue for a chance at seeing the famed train.
Officers with the Scranton Police Department directed vehicle traffic. Members of the National Park Service guided enthusiasts from across the country.
“Usually it’s in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and now it’s coming to the East Coast where our family resides, so it’s cool,” said Cillian Maloney.
His family from New York have been planning this trip for months, and the crowds were definitely a surprise for mom.
“I’m actually amazed that there are so many,” his mother, Caitlin Maloney, said. “Quite frankly, when he presented this to us, I was like, OK, sure, I thought it was going to be a little thing. But this is massive. Absolutely massive, yeah.”
As the Maloneys crossed state lines, others like Andy Hoffer crossed country borders to see the historic piece of railroad history.
“This is a very special one because it’s operating, and to have it next to its kin is unreal,” said Andy Hoffer of Toronto. “And the fact that for the 250th anniversary of the US independence they brought this here and went to all that trouble and expense, you have to be here if you have any train blood in you.”
The locomotive will still be available for public access on Tuesday. After that, according to Union Pacific Railroad, the train will go in for maintenance, where people can still observe it from afar during park hours.