Big Boy Coming To Altoona

The Railroaders Memorial Museum, in partnership with Discover Blair County has announced that Union Pacific’s Big Boy Number 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, will make its way to Altoona on July 8^th to the 11^th as part of its first-ever East Coast tour this summer.  The excursion is part of America’s 250^th anniversary celebration.  The journey will also include Philadelphia’s Fourth of July celebrations.  Recognized as the Railroad City, and the world famous Horseshoe Curve, Altoona will be welcoming thousands of railroad enthusiasts from across the country.  According to a statement from the Railroaders Museum, the Big Boy will arrive in Altoona on the evening of July 8^th with both public and private viewing opportunities through July 11^th.   Finally, the steam locomotive will depart Altoona on July 11^th around 9:00 a.m. and ascend the Horseshoe Curve, where it will make a ticketed appearance.  Tickets to this event have already sold out.   Joe DeFrancesco, the Executive Director of the Railroaders Museum called this event a “Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness two of the greatest engineering achievements in American railroad history, come together in one unforgettable moment.”