I believe that was kinda in the plan Cliff.
Yes, that was Plan B.
The original idea though was to bring the Big Girl out for the 4012 for some experimental iron horse breeding. But she wasn’t in the mood.
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Any schedule updates? For Penn Rosta
Only to say in Philly for the 4th routing through Buffalo and Scranton. Then home via the Pittsburgh line Through Mt. Union and Huntington with a stop in Altoona and through Horseshoe Curve. The curve will be so thick with foam it is no place I would want to be.
We have updates! The rest leg of the tour is now posted to the website.
Did anyone think they are going to go to Scranton? The wife and I may go, but possibly not for the ticket days. I think Id like to see it leave Scranton on July 1st.
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John, you were 7 minutes quicker than me, haha!
Highlights:
Eight major public display events will be held in:
- May 30 – Omaha, Nebraska (near the Union Pacific’s historic Milepost 0)
- June 3 – West Chicago, Illinois
- June 10 – Buffalo, New York
- June 15-16 – Scranton, Pennsylvania
- July 4-5 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- July 9-10 – Altoona, Pennsylvania
- July 14 – Fostoria, Ohio
- July 19 – St. Louis, Missouri
In addition to the public display days, rail fans can see this historic machine in action at over four dozen whistle-stops, generally 15- to 30- minutes long.
Complete details can be found on UP.com in the official steam schedule.
Horseshoe Curve is ticketed entry only (makes sense, it would be a zoo otherwise). And VIP carload tickets gets you a parking spot.
Wife and I are talking about going to Scranton, but neither one of us likes crowds so we will see. We may just watch it go thought Binghamton and visit the Scranton some time later, to get up close to the Big Boy they have there.
Yep, all you have to do is imagine steam, smoke and heat coming off it. It’s in amazingly good condition. The museum is excellent. They also have the trolley museum on the other side of the parking lot.
Getting into downtown Scranton then (when BB is there) might be a traffic challenge; it was for me on a normal weekend a year or two ago. If it were me, I’d consider booking a hotel for the evening before… But I’m not. [Yet]
Ditto…I totally understand and I personally “really” dislike sitting in a car driving for more than 2 hours max.
However if you decide to head that way Mark I believe you both would enjoy the national warehouse for Olde Good Things. I found my current front doors there 20 yrs ago and it’s a really neat place.
That would be Marie about two hours is her max, went up by Ithaca yesterday (1-1/2 hours) and she was ready to get out, me I love to drive. Will have to check out Olde Good Things when we go to Scranton.
It will be a zoo regardless. They will likely sell to capacity. The foam will be so thick you will need waders. I heard it sold out in hours.
If you are close, and get there really early, under the gorge bridge over Letchworth State Park in NY would be an awesome spot,
I will be away when it rolls by Mt. Union. There are several miles where the track parallels Route 22 between Mt. Union and Huntingdon.
I may or may not try to catch it near Redding.
Regarding the “Big Boy reunion” (4014 & 4012) at Scranton on June 15 & 16, there will be timed entry, requiring tickets from the NPS:
There is also ticketed entry for June 17-30, during the 4014’s maintenance (though with limited 4014 viewing).
That’s somewhat good news in this era of apathy and disconnection to history.
Is the T1 build progressing and will it be making a tour?
All LGB tank cars are capable of filling and dispensing liquids. Cheap used car with the charred oak sticks added as stated.
Looking at the Big Boy schedule, best chance of me to see it would be in Pottstown PA, July 2nd.
That’s a lot closer for me than Scranton, thanks for pointing that out.
Want to stop and pick me up on the way? You drive, I’ll buy the gasoline! 
Got an update on which rail line 2014 is riding on. When it rolls into and out of Philadelphia it will be the old Reading line to Philly. Only freight now, as it moves along the Schuylkill River it passes Valley Forge Station. The station has been refurbished by the park.
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A decent video on Big Boy history leading up to the Scranton get-together.
Their title slide could use work (one loco should be 4012)…