Big Boy Train
Watch a historic recap of Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014, including its stop in the Poconos!
The world's largest operating steam locomotive, Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014, made a historic stop in the Poconos as part of a historic coast-to-coast tour to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
From Nesquehoning to Jim Thorpe, Pittston and beyond, Pennsylvania was one of the lucky states hosting railroad royalty. It's the first time this legendary locomotive has crossed the Mississippi River since being built in 1941.
“We've been waiting for this for so long. As a train fan you could only dream that the Big Boy would come east. And when we saw it was coming east for the 250th, I knew we had to be here no matter what,” said Josh Imboden of Reading.
“I never in a million years dreamed it would come here. When they announced the coast-to-coast tour, I was hoping maybe the Big Boy would come somewhere within driving distance. I never imagined it would come to the railroad I work at, and for four days,” smiled Jamie Makin, Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad.
Of twenty-five Big Boys commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, eight still in existence today, this is the only one in operation.
“It was fast, and very loud! We loved it,” said Sally Young and her grandson, Aiden, of New Jersey.
“He weighs 1.2 million pounds. And he's my favorite train,” added Zack Gregory of Archbald.
Fans of all ages came from near and far to witness this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It was just unbelievable. The people we met from Vermont, the Dakotas, Delaware, just everywhere,” said Roseanne Black of Summit Hill.
The Reading & Northern Railroad offered special, sold-out semiquincentennial excursions aboard their own Pennsylvania built steam locomotive No. 2102, giving thousands the unique perspective of riding side-by-side with Big Boy for several miles.
“We stopped and Big Boy was about five feet from us. You could practically reach your hand out the window and touch him,” Zack added.
“Seeing everyone come out of their homes, their neighborhoods, hearing people talk about it, seeing it on the news, it really is something special. And for one day, one moment, everyone's a rail fan,” Makin said.
The sights and sounds uniting a nation, right on track to celebrating America’s 250th.