POTTSTOWN, Pa. – Berks and Montgomery counties are preparing to welcome the “Big Boy.”
Union Pacific’s No. 4014 steam locomotive will stop in Muhlenberg Township and Pottstown on its America 250 journey to Philadelphia.
The 15-minute stops will be on July 2, first at 1:30 p.m. at the outer station on Route 61 and then at 3:30 p.m. in Pottstown.
Officials say they expect thousands of people to gather to see the train.
The stop will be just part of its America 250 journey across the country, the Pottstown Business Improvement District said in a Facebook post.
The business improvement district says the best public viewing area will be Borough Parking Lot 1, with food vendors located nearby along the Hanover Street closure area.
Photo courtesy of Union Pacific
To support pedestrian safety and event activity, Hanover Street will be closed from Industrial Boulevard to High Street from noon to 5 p.m., the Pottstown Business Improvement District said.
For the safety of all visitors, attendees must remain at least 25 feet away from railroad property at all times, the business district said in its post.
People are advised to choose their viewing side by 2 p.m.
For public safety, railroad crossings will be closed, and visitors will not be permitted to cross the tracks once closures are in place, according to the social media post.
Due to the significance of this event and the large number of rail enthusiasts expected to attend, motorists should anticipate heavy traffic and increased pedestrian activity in the area surrounding the Reading Outer Station between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Muhlenberg Township said on its website.