{"id":217014,"date":"2026-06-12T01:41:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T01:41:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/217014\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T01:41:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T01:41:17","slug":"ny-whistle-stops-southern-tier-celebration-for-the-big-boy-no-4014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/217014\/","title":{"rendered":"NY whistle stops, Southern Tier celebration for the Big Boy No. 4014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Union Pacific’s\u00a0largest operating steam locomotive<\/a>,\u00a0Big Boy No.\u00a04014, arrived in Buffalo\u00a0on June 9 and is now making its way through New York.<\/p>\n

The tour, celebrating America’s 250th birthday, includes a Fourth of July celebration in Philadelphia, major display events in eight cities and more than 50 whistle-stops in 10 states, including stops for the first time in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.<\/p>\n

After leaving Binghamton on June 13, the train will\u00a0pass through\u00a0Nicholson, Pennsylvania, before heading to Scranton for the longest stop in the Eastern leg of the tour. The locomotive will be at the\u00a0Steamtown\u00a0National Historic Site in Scranton<\/a> from June 15-30.<\/p>\n

If you’re planning to see Big Boy No.\u00a04014 while it’s in New York, here’s what you need to know about each public viewing opportunity.<\/p>\n

\"To<\/p>\n

To celebrate the 250th birthday of America the Big Boy No. 4014 will be making six stops in New York for its first tour through the East Coast of the United States.<\/p>\n

Where to view\u00a0the Big\u00a0Boy No. 4014 in NY?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Silver Springs on June 11: North Main Street Crossing\u00a0<\/p>\n

Letchworth State Park on June 11: Genesee River Arch\u00a0Bridge,\u00a0admission into the park is\u00a0required.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Passing\u00a0by at\u00a012:20 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hornell on June 11: Hornell Erie Depot Museum at 111 Loder St.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Owego on June 12: The Turn Golf Simulator & Restaurant at 53 Depot St.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Southern Tier celebrates Big Boy arrival<\/p>\n

The locomotive’s arrival has prompted local events and celebrations across the Southern Tier.<\/p>\n

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 to Hornell,” City of Hornell Mayor John Buckley said. “Our city has a deep and proud railroad history, and having such an iconic locomotive stop here will truly be a special moment. It’s the kind of event that brings people together and reminds us of the role communities like ours have played in building and supporting the nation’s rail system.”<\/p>\n

Co-owner of the Freight Yard Model Trains and More at 63 Barlow Road in Binghamton Joshua VanBarriger will be hosting a family celebration at the store featuring an outdoor picnic, deals on Union Pacific merch,\u00a0classic rail film\u00a0showings\u00a0and kid-friendly activities to coincide with the Owego whistle-stop June 12.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

A picnic cookout is $5 a plate and drinks will be $1 \u2014 food options will include hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, picnic side\u00a0dishes\u00a0and\u00a0sweet treats.<\/p>\n

Tioga County Tourism Director Rebecca Maffei said there have been weeks of preparation for Big Boy’s arrival in Owego.<\/p>\n

A Google map<\/a> created by the organization will guide viewers to the best locations, things to do, places to stay, areas closed to the public and available parking from the Pennsylvania border to Newark Valley.<\/p>\n

“Our communities and businesses are embracing this event, and we are happy to give them a way to connect with the public,” said Maffei.<\/p>\n

Union Pacific is urging all observers to remain 25 feet away from the tracks when viewing, taking photos and drone operation \u2014 whistle stops are typically 15-20 minutes long.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More: Owego expects ‘pretty big crowd’ for Big Boy 4014 locomotive tour stop<\/a><\/p>\n

After NY, Big Boy stops for extended stay in Scranton<\/p>\n

If you\u00a0can’t\u00a0make it to one of the local stops,\u00a0the\u00a0Steamtown\u00a0National Historic Site invites\u00a0visitors\u00a0to\u00a0come see\u00a0one of the eight preserved Big Boy steam trains on display on the East Coast, the Big Boy No. 4012, and No. 4014 when it comes to town June 15.<\/p>\n

“Welcoming Big Boy No. 4014 to\u00a0Steamtown\u00a0offers a unique opportunity to connect visitors with the scale, power, and craftsmanship of American railroading,” Steamtown\u00a0National Historic Site Superintendent Jeremy Komasz\u00a0said in an email statement.<\/p>\n

“It’s a rare chance to experience this history in motion and to see firsthand what it takes to preserve it for future generations,”\u00a0he said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Megan Stevens, who is gateway community coordinator for the site, said in an email statement the revival of locomotive machines like the Big Boy No. 4014 “highlights the importance of preserving and sharing living railroad history.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

Due to the “huge crowd” site leaders anticipate, the two stops at the Steamtown\u00a0National Historic Site require a ticket purchase to reserve a time slot for viewing. Reservations can be made during the park hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the tickets allow visitors to stay until the 5 p.m. park closure.<\/p>\n

Guests are encouraged to come 30 minutes early to their reservation.<\/p>\n

As of June 10, there were still hundreds of tickets available at recreation.gov<\/a> for multiple time slots on June 15-16.<\/p>\n

Train enthusiasts anxiously awaiting the arrival of the steam machine will also get an opportunity to see several historical passenger cars from the\u00a0UP Heritage\u00a0Fleet and three historic business cars from Norfolk Southern.<\/p>\n

What historical passenger cars will be traveling with\u00a0the Big\u00a0Boy No. 4014?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Norfolk Southern No. 1776\u00a0<\/p>\n

More: Free tickets expand access to Dick’s Open for families<\/a><\/p>\n

Where to park if you are going to the Scranton whistle-stop<\/p>\n

There will be three parking lots offering free parking and complementary shuttle service running 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to and from the Steamtown facility.<\/p>\n

Shuttle pickups from visitors parking at Scranton High School and West Scranton High School will be across the street from PA CareerLink on Franklin Avenue.<\/p>\n

Visitors parking at the PNC Field will be picked up in front of the Steamtown Marketplace on Lackawanna Avenue.<\/p>\n

All visitors will be dropped off at Mifflin Avenue.<\/p>\n

Scranton High School: 63 Mike Munchak Way<\/p>\n

West Scranton High School: 1201 Luzerne St.<\/p>\n

PNC Field: 235 Montage Mountain Road<\/p>\n

Visitors will use the pedestrian gates behind the Lackawanna Transit Center to enter and exit, located at 20 Lackawanna Ave.<\/p>\n

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will have signage along Interstate 81 alerting drivers to traffic delays.<\/p>\n

For more information about paid parking, accessibility and public transportation for the Scranton Steamtown stop visit scrantonpa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kalyn Grant reports on public service issues for the Press & Sun-Bulletin, focusing on schools and community impact. Have a story to share? Follow her on Instagram\u00a0@KalynCarmen<\/a>\u00a0and on Facebook under\u00a0Kalyn Kearney<\/a>. Get in touch at\u00a0KCGrant@usatodayco.com<\/a><\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Tickets, times viewing spots for Big Boy No. 4014 in New York<\/a><\/p>\n