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<\/p>\nSCRANTON \u2014 The \u201cBig Boy Reunion\u201d of two of the largest steam locomotives in the world will bring massive crowds during the second half of June to Scranton and the Steamtown National Historic Site.<\/p>\n
The event, which is on track to draw the largest crowds to Steamtown since the park opened in 1995, will feature a two-week stop by Union Pacific\u2019s Big Boy 4014 \u2014 the world\u2019s largest operating steam locomotive.<\/p>\n
Steamtown already has had the nonoperational Big Boy 4012, a cosmetically restored museum piece, on display for years.<\/p>\n
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Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n
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Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n
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An American flag hangs at the entrance to the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n
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The Illinois Central #790 steam locomotive sits at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n
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Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n
Expand<\/a><\/p>\n Both locomotives were among 25 Big Boys built in the 1940s, of which only eight remain. Seven of those are nonoperational. Restored in 2019 to run again and converted from coal-fired to oil, the 4014 that was built in 1941 now is the only remaining Big Boy that can roll on rails under its own power.<\/p>\n Big Boy 4014\u2019s stop at Steamtown is part of the locomotive\u2019s coast-to-coast tour to celebrate America\u2019s 250th anniversary. Its visit to Scranton is a big deal for Steamtown and the tens of thousands of rail-fan enthusiasts from around the globe who will descend on the park just off the downtown from Monday through June 30 to see the two Big Boys side-by-side. For information on the Big Boy Reunion, see Steamtown\u2019s website at nps.gov\/stea<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see No. 4014 reunited with Steamtown\u2019s own Big Boy No. 4012! It\u2019ll be the only place to see two Big Boys lined up side by side, and for two weeks in June Steamtown National Historic Site will be the center of the railfan universe!\u201d the website says.<\/p>\n The event also is a big deal for Scranton, both in boosting tourism and spotlighting the city\u2019s railroading history as a cradle of the Industrial Revolution, and coming just weeks before the nation\u2019s 250th birthday on July 4. The influx of large crowds, particularly on the public-display debut days of Monday and Tuesday, will create some logistical issues for the city involving traffic and parking that officials are working to address.<\/p>\n Scranton is working with the state Department of Transportation to display signs along Interstate 81 advising drivers and other guests of potential traffic delays entering downtown. The city also is coordinating strategically with construction crews working on the expansive streetscape project downtown to minimize traffic disruptions there.<\/p>\n The Big Boy Reunion also kicks off a big summer for the city, which also will host FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament \u201cFan Zone\u201d watch party events July 4-5 and July 18-19 at the Lackawanna County Courthouse Square downtown.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are ready to showcase Scranton as a world-class city with multiple once-in-a-lifetime events this summer,\u201d Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said in a statement. \u201cThe Big Boy\u2019s arrival next week kicks off a series of celebrations in conjunction with America250 and our own 160th birthday (this past April). Excitement continues to build for our World Cup Fan Zone events on Courthouse Square beginning the weekend of July 4, and we have tributes to our veterans planned into the fall. We\u2019re excited for visitors from around the world to come to Scranton for these events and to enjoy our small businesses and restaurants. Special thanks to the Scranton Police and Scranton Fire Departments for all of their hard work and coordination that will keep residents and guests safe as we all come together to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n Big Boy Reunion key details:<\/p>\n Big Boy 4014 on tour across America<\/p>\n According to information on site at Steamtown: The Big Boys were the longest and among the largest and most powerful steam locomotives in the world, capable of reaching speeds in excess of 80 mph. Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for the Union Pacific Railroad before and during World War II. They hauled long, heavy troop and freight trains over the steep grades of the Wasatch Mountains east of Salt Lake City. They were the ultimate in modern, main-line, heavy duty steam locomotives.<\/p>\n Big Boy 4014 on April 10 launched its first coast-to-coast tour<\/a> at Milepost 0 in downtown Sacramento, where construction of the nation\u2019s first transcontinental railroad began in 1863, and kicking off a nationwide celebration of America\u2019s 250th anniversary. For information on 4014\u2019s schedule, visit Union Pacific\u2019s Steam Schedule site<\/a>. Follow No. 4014 along its Norfolk Southern route with Union Pacific\u2019s interactive Steam Location Tracking map<\/a>. The route has 4014 going from Buffalo, New York to Scranton enroute to Philadelphia for July 4. It will cross the Nicholson viaduct on Saturday at 10 a.m. It will go to Nesquehoning and then Pittston on Sunday, for a \u201cUnion Pacific Museum Passenger Special\u201d event that is sold out. It will go to Steamtown late Sunday night. As such, Big Boy 4014 might draw spectators along its route. The Union Pacific website warns the public to \u201cstay back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks. This includes drones. Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are private property \u2014 do not trespass. Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive \u2014 ALWAYS expect a train. Be a safe and considerate driver \u2014 do not pace the train.\u201d<\/p>\n Stop at Steamtown for two-week public display<\/p>\n Big Boy 4014 will arrive at Steamtown in Scranton late Sunday, when the park will be closed to prepare for the next two weeks. The sibling Big Boys will be on display at Steamtown from June 15 through June 30.<\/p>\n Monday and Tuesday, June 15-16, will be display days when Big Boy 4014 will be fired up and thus draw the largest crowds. Visitors on Monday and Tuesday will be able to walk around the two locomotives and take photos. There will not be any access to the cabs of either locomotive on Monday and Tuesday. The two then will remain on display from June 17 through June 30, when Union Pacific will do maintenance on 4014. The cab of Big Boy 4012 will be open for visitors from June 17-30.<\/p>\n Tickets are required<\/p>\n Tickets with timed reservations will be required for entry to Steamtown. Reservation times will range from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, and all ticket holders can visit until the park closes at 5 p.m. The museum and roundhouse areas also will be open to ticket holders. Reservations are available through www.recreation.gov. There is no entrance fee for the park, but recreation.gov does charge a nonrefundable $1 service fee per ticket. As additional site logistics are confirmed, there may be additional releases of tickets for some entry days and times.<\/p>\n Pedestrian site entry<\/p>\n Big crowds descending on the park Monday and Tuesday will enter and exit Steamtown National Historic Site via pedestrian gates behind the Lackawanna Transit Center. Visitors should follow the signs and have either a printed copy of their timed-entry reservation or a digital version on a cell phone ready prior to reaching the entrance gate. Visitors should be prepared to wait in long lines and be equipped for weather conditions. The entrance route will be a gravel path railroad crossing that requires crossing several sets of railroad tracks.<\/p>\n Big crowds<\/p>\n As of the morning of Tuesday, June 9, Steamtown had a total of 47,480 tickets reserved for the entire two-week event, from June 15-30, according to spokeswoman Megan Stevens. That total included 25,598 tickets reserved for Monday, June 15 alone, and 9,180 reserved for Tuesday, June 16. That\u2019s a whopping 34,778 visitors just on those first two days. And there were 12,702 tickets reserved from June 17-30. In comparison, Steamtown had 30,000 people during its opening weekend in 1995, she said. \u201cPeople are coming from all over. The West Coast has seen this tour before, but the East Coast is new and exciting. At Steamtown, you also have the unique draw of having two Big Boys side-by-side.\u00a0 This will draw visitors from across the globe, not just locally,\u201d Stevens said.<\/p>\n Parking and traffic<\/p>\n Traffic in and around Scranton will increase during the two weeks of the event. Big Boy visitors should prepare for possible traffic delays and plan ahead to park and arrive at Steamtown at their reservation times.<\/p>\n There will be no visitor parking, other than a limited number of disabled-accessible parking, at Steamtown on June 15-16. Vehicles should enter via the 350 Cliff St. park entrance and have their placards clearly visible. No other vehicles will be allowed past the park entrance gate on Cliff Street.<\/p>\n Paid parking will be available throughout downtown Scranton, including metered street parking and parking at the following garages and lots:<\/p>\n \u2022 Marketplace at Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Ave.<\/p>\n \u2022 Adams and Mulberry Garage, 425 Adams Ave.<\/p>\n \u2022 Casey Garage, 101 Adams Ave.<\/p>\n \u2022 Connell Garage, 117 N. Washington Ave.<\/p>\n \u2022 Electric City Garage, 300 Biden St.<\/p>\n \u2022 Forum Garage, 230 Franklin Ave.<\/p>\n \u2022 Jefferson Street parking lot, 321 Jefferson Ave. (cash only)<\/p>\n \u2022 Linden Street Garage, 417 Linden St.<\/p>\n \u2022 Medallion Garage, 140 Adams Ave.<\/p>\n![\"Big](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781035752_217_STT-L-BIGBOY-0610_2-rotated-1.jpg\")
Big Boy 4012 locomotive on display at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton on Sunday, June 8, 2026. (JIM LOCKWOOD \/ STAFF PHOTO)<\/p>\n