Grabbed this photo off FB
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Looks like there will be one more “race day” with the 4014 & 2102, and another with a diesel.
Either way, an awesome way to see the 4014 would be by riding behind the “opponent” loco. Seems like tickets are still available…
Dang, all sold out.
Cliff & All;
June 13 was definitely a no-go for me. It was our 56th wedding anniversary. After 56 years, I DO know which side my bread is buttered on!
Regards, David Meashey
So did I. The guy managed to get on the east side so the sun was the right direction.
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I learned at around 11am this morning that the 4014 & 2102 side-by-side train pull still had affordable tickets (on the 2102 or diesel side) on July 1 & 2.
At noon, my wife and I had lunch and discussed it, and saw that tickets were still available. We were in agreement that what better way to see the BB? And how cool to run parallel with another train for at least a couple hours?? So we decided to make a weekend of it. Something to look forward to for both of us, woo hoo!
At 1:00, I called RBM&NN, and learned they were all sold out. Ahhh!!! 
Around 3:00pm, after much looking at options for a consolation prize, we settled on the 2-hour dinner train out of Boyertown, on July 10. Looks nice.
Maybe the 4014 and 2102 will get together again in the future, and if so we’ll be quicker off the starting block.
Clearly UP and NS hit the ball out of the park on the Big Boys coast to coast trip. Today we visited Steamtown for their 2012/2014 celebration.
Last night they did a photo shoot with the EL ABA set and then had a parallel running event with the NPS 0-6-0 and its 3 cars. Rather silly in my opinion but a large crowd paid $100 each to stand on the pedestrian bridge that is covered by a fence to watch the event.
Today was the initial NPS event. The National Park apparently sold 28,000 timed entries and I believe the estiminate was 30,000 visitors. The timed entry concept was a good idea. However they forgot to do a timed visitation to the Big Boys so by 10 the line was over 1.5 miles long.
Fortunately a very nice UP police officer told the NPS our group were UP invited guests so we got to go right in.
Some takeaways.
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Ed and the Big Boy crew came out to the crowd and signed autographs. When was the last time locomotive engineers were treated like celebraties?
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Apparently more then one town has contacted UP asking them to have the Big Boy train stop in their town.
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The eastern leg of the trip has had crowds everywhere, Even remote crossings have had lots of people most of which were not railfans. Loud chears everywhere Big Boy went and Ed truly knew how to put on a show including a safety valve steam release over the viaduct.
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In todays political environment it was a real joy to see the country in the areas the Big Boy has traveled come together and enjoy a 250th event. True the only reason this event has occured is that NS and UP are trying to merge but still the enjoyment we have witnessed over the past 5 days has been truly remarkable.
Stan
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Ah. That’s why it was over by the Mall. I agree, a bit silly, but think of the $$ - maybe NPS will restore another loco with the funds.
There are some amazing sights on Facebook. One guy who biked to the old CNJ trail and found #4014 was running quite slowly alongside, so he got back on his bike and tried to catch up, with his camera video running!
Thanks for your thoughts, Stan, and well-said on your point #4.
I’ve read that there are no plans for a major 4014 tour in 2027. But with the huge turnouts, and lots of towns and park venues probably getting some serious financial boosts (and perhaps many more requesting stops per your point #2), maybe UP will reconsider and make it an annual thing.
Was this the video Pete? Even if not, this was one sweet bike ride!
Yes. There’s at least a gazillion more, and videos of the crowds in Steamtown!
Like I mentioned earlier Big Boy will pass Valley Forge Park, right near work. Fellow mechanic was getting a intermittent check engine code that would not show stored. Asked me to ride and get the code when showed on the laptop.
I set the route, Valley Forge, Phone camera in hand off we go…
For the other wrench on the forum @Rooster here is the code. Inline MD Cummings 6 cyl.
Not yet, my son and I will see it rolling by at Valley Forge. Big Boy stopped at Steamtown for service before it moves further along to Philly. My understanding, there is no means to service it when in Philly.
Like “what the difference is” photos, the front coupler on 4014 is drawn in with the cover in place.
Nice. I heard the Steamtown crowds were much better on Monday. A friend was able to park in the lot about 30 feet from the engines!
I need to look at the route going west after the 4th. I might have an opportunity to catch it before we arrive in Nebraska.
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It’s amazing how intact the 4012 is. Even down to gobs of electrical cables.
I am not on Facebook. My son just found this. May make viewing Big Boy more difficult at Valley Forge. This is an active freight line. Could be they are just clearing the track and the tankers will be gone tomorrow.
When my son got home from work we headed out to Valley Forge to see Big Boy. Many viewers there already very early. Instead of V F station we were directed to the other station at the park.
Having already seeing the Port Kennedy Station on Google maps (2023) picture, I was surprised!
Port Kennedy today:
Big Boy 4014:
Some old guy showed up in my son’s pictures. My son was taking video as well as the still shots. I’ll get that later, he will edit and send to me later.
Crazy camera, 2 lenses, what the heck is that?"
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Coming into Philly
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