An updated scheduled for Thursday’s arrival of Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 has it arriving in Muhlenberg Township a little earlier than originally planned.

The world’s largest operating steam locomotive is scheduled to leave Jim Thorpe at 9 a.m., passing through Barnesville, Tamaqua, New Ringgold and Port Clinton before entering Berks County as part of its historic coast-to-coast journey marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Big Boy is scheduled to make a 15-minute photo stop in Hamburg from noon to 12:15 p.m., then pass through Mohrsville about 12:30.

A 5-minute stop is planned in Leesport from 12:40 to 12:45.

The locomotive is scheduled to roll into the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Station at 3501 Pottsville Pike at 1:05 p.m., about 25 minutes earlier than originally planned.

It will depart the station at 2:30 and switch to Norfolk Southern tracks as it moves through Robeson Township and Birdsboro on its way to the Pottstown station at 51 S. Hanover St.

Officials said the Outer Station will be open for public viewing of Big Boy, but parking will not be permitted on the station lot.

Muhlenberg police posted the following on the department’s website:

Event parking will be available at the Fairgrounds Square Mall parking lot, accessible from the Bellevue Avenue and George Street entrances. Visitors are asked to follow all directional signs and traffic control personnel to designated parking areas.

Drivers are reminded not to park in unauthorized locations or block roads, driveways or railroad crossings. Please use caution when traveling through the area and follow all posted traffic control measures.

Reading & Northern officials also noted the following safety measures:

• Stay a minimum of 25 feet away from the railroad tracks.

• Stay off railroad tracks, bridges, trains, rail and signal equipment and towers.

• Stay out of rail yards and tunnels.

• Do not fly drones over tracks or rail yards, and do not take off or land on railroad property.

They said the restrictions will be strictly enforced and violators will be cited for trespassing.

There will be another chance to see Big Boy as is passes through Reading and surrounding communities the morning of July 7.

Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941, according to the Union Pacific website.

The locomotives were built to haul heavy equipment in support of the war effort, normally operating between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyo.

Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence today, No. 4014 is the only one in operation.