The mere thought of the spectacle was awe-inspiring, really.<\/p>\n
The very idea of what happened seemed more designed to capture imaginations than it did social media views.\n<\/p>\n
A marvel of the American rails, the Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 \u2014 a 133-foot long, 1.2 million-pound mass of steel, cast iron and brass literally steaming on 16 wheels \u2014 made its grand entrance over the hulking Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct on Saturday, the tree-covered hills of the Endless Mountains serving as the backdrop.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781422815_242_STT-L-BIGBOY-0612.jpg\")
The Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct, also known as the Nicholson Viaduct,, Nicholson Bridge and Tunkhannock Viaduct, an historic rail bridge in Nicholson, PA. that opened in 1915 and remains in use, shown here on Sept. 18, 2021. (JIM LOCKWOOD \/ STAFF PHOTO)<\/p>\n
There seems no better way to kick off a summer the likes of which we may never experience again in our region.<\/p>\n
As Northeast Pennsylvania welcomed the largest and most powerful steam locomotive still in use in the world to the area, it was difficult for most of us not to feel nostalgic. It is every bit the year 2026; We\u2019re about halfway through it now. But to see a locomotive as impressive as this venture over a nearly half-mile long, 240-foot tall span, it didn\u2019t exactly make anyone looking on feel like they were in modern times.<\/p>\n
A steam engine designed to power over the steepest of grades, to haul supplies from one side of the United States, to the other to aid in the most noble efforts of our troops during World War II. A viaduct that once was the largest of its kind, perhaps in the world.<\/p>\n
It was a meeting of two icons of American might, ingenuity and perseverance. The likelihood any of us will get to see it again is not particularly high.<\/p>\n
This summer provides us plenty of reasons to celebrate. It is, after all, the 250th anniversary of our nation\u2019s birth. But for too many, the date itself doesn\u2019t seem like a good enough reason to honor where we are.<\/p>\n
That is understandable, really. We\u2019ve all been through tough times. We\u2019ve battled terrorism, at home and abroad. We faced a pandemic, and not so gracefully. We\u2019ve struggled to define what constitutes truth, and battled our friends, family and neighbors to a bitter 50-50 stalemate while doing so. We\u2019ve seen our way of life challenged by both our leaders and our technology, and our freedoms in key ways have eroded through the fights. The strongest pillars of our nation \u2014 free and fair elections, the irrefutable neutrality of our highest courts, the motives of leaders elected to our highest offices \u2014 have been roundly doubted.<\/p>\n
![\"Big](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781422815_753_STT-L-BIGBOY-0610_dd9d42-1.jpg\")
Big Boy 4012 locomotive on display at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton on Sunday, June 7, 2026. (JIM LOCKWOOD \/ STAFF PHOTO<\/p>\n
This is why we hope Big Boy No. 4014 rolled into town at just the right time, with exactly the necessary visuals, and hauling all the history that really should matter to area residents this summer along with it.<\/p>\n
Many rail enthusiasts have already caught Big Boy fever. With No. 4014 settling in for a temporary respite at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton as part of its historic coast-to-coast tour to celebrate America\u2019s 250th anniversary, the area is bracing for an influx of visitors. Steamtown is expecting more than 35,000 people will pass through its gates on Monday and Tuesday alone<\/a>, just to see No. 4014 alongside Big Boy No. 4012, which is on permanent display at the museum.<\/p>\n