{"id":216301,"date":"2026-06-11T09:23:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T09:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/216301\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T09:23:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T09:23:12","slug":"all-aboard-expect-crowds-as-union-pacifics-big-boy-steams-toward-nepa-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/216301\/","title":{"rendered":"ALL ABOARD: Expect crowds as Union Pacific’s Big Boy steams toward NEPA this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unless you are not keeping track, you probably know the world’s largest operating steam locomotive<\/a> is scheduled to arrive in Northeastern Pennsylvania this weekend.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

FOLLOW WVIA NEWS & SEND YOUR PHOTOS<\/p>\n

\u25cf WVIA News will bring you special up-close coverage of Big Boy’s arrival in Pennsylvania on Friday, June 12.<\/p>\n

\u25cf We invite readers to send us their photos of Big Boy as it passes through the region on June 13 and 14. Please email them to Roger DuPuis: rogerdupuis@wvia.org.<\/p>\n

\u25cf We will have coverage from Steamtown on Monday, June 15.<\/p>\n

Union Pacific No. 4014 \u2014 aka Big Boy \u2014 will be making an extended stop in Scranton, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors as it poses beside fellow Big Boy No. 4012, which has been on static display at Steamtown National Historic Site<\/a> for decades.<\/p>\n

But 4014’s arrival and passage through the region is expected to draw throngs all along the rails everywhere it travels, as has been the case since its cross-country America 250 tour<\/a> began. <\/p>\n

With those crowds come concerns about safety and logistics. We’ve put together this survival guide for railfans and curious sightseers alike, based on information distributed by officials around the region.<\/p>\n

This is the first part of our multi-day coverage of this historic event.<\/p>\n

Where’s Big Boy going to be, and when?<\/p>\n

From the official Union Pacific schedule<\/a>, here is the locomotive’s itinerary as it enters and leaves NEPA:<\/p>\n

FRIDAY, JUNE 12
\u25cf Sayre, Pa. \u2014 No public access. Departs 9 a.m.
\u25cf Owego, N.Y. \u2014 53 Depot St. Arrives 10:45 a.m., departs 11:15 a.m.
\u25cf Binghamton, N.Y. \u2014 No public access. (Private Norfolk Southern employee event)<\/p>\n

SATURDAY, JUNE 13
\u25cf Binghamton, N.Y. \u2014 No public access. Depart 7:30 a.m.
\u25cf Nicholson, Pa. \u2014 Passing over Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct, 10 a.m.<\/p>\n

SUNDAY, JUNE 14
\u25cf Nesquehoning, Pa. \u2014 No public access. Departs 10 a.m. for sold-out Union Pacific Museum Passenger Special to Pittston.<\/p>\n

MONDAY, JUNE 15 – TUESDAY, JUNE 16
\u25cf Scranton, Pa. \u2014 Ticketed viewing at Steamtown National Historic Site, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (More information below.)<\/p>\n

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 – TUESDAY, JUNE 30
\u25cf Scranton, Pa. \u2014 Ticketed viewing at Steamtown National Historic Site during park hours while the locomotive undergoes maintenance at Steamtown.<\/p>\n

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
\u25cf Scranton, Pa. \u2014 No public access. Departs 9 a.m.<\/p>\n

THURSDAY, JULY 2
\u25cf Jim Thorpe, Pa. \u2014 No public access. Depart 9 a.m.
\u25cf Reading, Pa. \u2014 Reading & Northern Outer Station, 1:30-2:15 p.m.
\u25cf Pottstown, Pa. \u2014 51 South Hanover St., 3:30-3:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The eastern leg of Big Boy No. 4014’s coast-to-coast tour starts May 25 from Cheyenne, Wyoming.<\/p>\n

What will access to Steamtown be like? <\/p>\n

\u25cf Information about obtaining reservations for the event can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Steamtown will be closed Sunday, June 14, to prepare for the visit.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Steamtown will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through June 30 for the event. Guests may enter Steamtown up to 30 minutes prior to their reservation time or after scheduled reservations.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Visitors will enter and exit Steamtown through pedestrian gates directly behind the Lackawanna Transit Center, 30 Lackawanna Ave. Guests should have either a printed copy of their ticket or a digital copy on their cell phone readily available.<\/p>\n

\"City<\/p>\n

City of Scranton Government<\/p>\n

City of Scranton officials released this map<\/a> showing parking for the June 15-16 Big Boy reunion.<\/p>\n

What about parking?<\/p>\n

Here’s what you need to know for June 15-16:<\/p>\n

\u25cf Steamtown’s lots will be closed to the public except for a limited number of handicap-accessible spots (see below). <\/p>\n

\u25cf Free parking with complementary shuttle service to and from Steamtown will be available at:
\u2014 Scranton High School, 63 Mike Munchak Way
\u2014 West Scranton High School, 1201 Luzerne St.
\u2014 PNC Field at 235 Montage Mountain Road<\/p>\n

Courtesy shuttles are expected to begin at 8 a.m. and end at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

Shuttle pick-up for the Scranton and West Scranton High School routes is planned at Franklin Avenue, across from the PA CareerLink at 135 Franklin Ave., and pick-up for PNC Field is planned in front of the Marketplace at Steamtown along Lackawanna Avenue. Drop-off for both shuttles will be on Mifflin Avenue.<\/p>\n

\"Steamtown<\/p>\n

Steamtown National Historic Site Facebook<\/p>\n

Steamtown National Historic Site released this graphic<\/a> showing information about access and parking.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Paid parking will be available throughout downtown Scranton, including metered street parking and parking at the following garages and lots:
\u2014 Marketplace at Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Ave.
\u2014 Adams and Mulberry Garage, 425 Adams Ave.
\u2014 Casey Garage, 101 Adams Avenue
\u2014 Connell Garage, 117 N. Washington Ave.
\u2014 Electric City Garage, 300 Biden St.
\u2014 Forum Garage, 230 Franklin Ave.
\u2014 Jefferson Street parking lot, 321 Jefferson Ave. (cash only)
\u2014 Linden Street Garage, 417 Linden St.
\u2014 Medallion Garage, 140 Adams Ave.<\/p>\n

Visit scrantonpaparking.com<\/a> for details on parking rates and other information.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Accessible parking: A limited number of handicap-accessible parking spaces for placarded vehicles will be available in designated areas of the Steamtown National Historic Site parking lot 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. The route from the parking area to the Big Boy No. 4014 and No. 4012 viewing areas and throughout the park’s museum facilities are accessible for wheelchairs.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Public transportation: County of Lackawanna Transit System<\/a> (COLTS) and Luzerne County Transportation Authority<\/a> (LCTA) buses drop passengers off at the Lackawanna Transit Center, directly adjacent to the entrance gates.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Limited public parking will be available onsite at Steamtown from June 17-30.<\/p>\n

How will downtown Scranton traffic be affected?<\/p>\n

City officials say<\/a> they are collaborating with the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to display signage along Interstate 81 advising drivers and other guests of potential traffic delays entering downtown. <\/p>\n

“Additionally, the city is working strategically with crews working on the expansive streetscape project to minimize traffic disruptions created by the progress downtown,” officials said Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Don’t even think about trespassing<\/p>\n

Railroad officials and police strongly caution against trespassing on Steamtown or rail company property \u2014 and that’s not limited to the Scranton area.<\/p>\n

Big Boy 4014 will travel over the tracks of the Delaware-Lackawanna railroad Sunday, June 14 as it enters the Steamtown National Historic Site.<\/p>\n

“In the interest of safety, and in an effort to provide an excellent overall experience, the employees and management of the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad would like to remind everyone that there is a ‘0 tolerance’ policy for trespassing on railroad property at all times, and especially during this event,” the railroad’s parent company said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Union Pacific also released safety tips<\/a> for railfans along the route:<\/p>\n

\u25cf Stay back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks. This includes drones.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are private property \u2014 do not trespass.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive. Always expect a train.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Be a safe and considerate driver \u2014 do not pace the train.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Be aware of the environment. “While we strive to provide access to all guests, Big Boy is positioned in a working rail environment with uneven walking surfaces that may create difficulty for accessibility,” the railroad said.<\/p>\n

The Reading & Northern Railroad, which also will be hosting Big Boy over its tracks, released safety guidelines<\/a>, too, including cautions regarding site access, photography and drone use. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Unless you are not keeping track, you probably know the world’s largest operating steam locomotive is scheduled to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":216302,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[178,180,179],"class_list":["post-216301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=216301"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216301\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/216302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=216301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=216301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=216301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}