Steam & Excursion > RDG 4-8-4 to race UP 4-8-8-4 on double track 7/1/26!

R&N and UP have a bunch of provocative events planned for June & July for their 2 impressive locomotives, including a mainline race on July 1!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/08/26 02:52 by JPB.

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Race as in side by side running? Does R&N have any double track main? I'm trying to figure out what exactly these excursions will offer in terms of a 4014 experience. They indicated an onboard view of 4014 at least once per excursion. Does that mean a well thought out, staged opportunity or simply passing the UP train in a siding or in storage along the way. Quite frankly, that isn't much of an opportunity. I understand the excitement of two mainline steam locomotives traversing the same piece of railroad on the same dates but wish the excursions were supplemented by more railfan friendly events. Side by side photo opportunites, Night photo shoot, etc. Ability to get off the train and walk for exclusive access to 4014, etc. If I want to see 4014, I want to be on the ground, not catching a fleeting glimpse from a passenger car window.

bmoore765 Wrote:
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> Race as in side by side running? Does R&N have any
> double track main? I'm trying to figure out what
> exactly these excursions will offer in terms of a
> 4014 experience. They indicated an onboard view of
> 4014 at least once per excursion. Does that mean a
> well thought out, staged opportunity or simply
> passing the UP train in a siding or in storage
> along the way. Quite frankly, that isn't much of
> an opportunity. I understand the excitement of two
> mainline steam locomotives traversing the same
> piece of railroad on the same dates but wish the
> excursions were supplemented by more railfan
> friendly events. Side by side photo opportunites,
> Night photo shoot, etc. Ability to get off the
> train and walk for exclusive access to 4014, etc.
> If I want to see 4014, I want to be on the ground,
> not catching a fleeting glimpse from a passenger
> car window.

Should be the section along the Lehigh Gorge where the R&N and NS go side-by-side from the Jim Thorpe area to Old Penn Haven

I think they are using some artistic license with the ad.

The post from Mr. Muller Press release  clearly states the Big Boy will only run one excursion on Sunday, June 14th.

My guess is between June 15th and July 1 the Big Boy and passenger cars will be getting work done at the new shop in Nesquehoning and will be displayed outside when available.   Hence the note a "the train will meet and pass the Big Boy"  It does not say the Big Boy will be running.

Its supposed to depart on July 2nd to get to Philly for the 4th.   I expect on July 1st the Big Boy will be shiny and polished for its display on the 4th. 

I had also hear rumor the Big Boy will be in Steamtown on June 15th.   So the one way run to Pittston on the 14th would make sense if it is to be displayed at Steamtown on the 15th.

> Should be the section along the Lehigh Gorge where
> the R&N and NS go side-by-side from the Jim Thorpe
> area to Old Penn Haven

That's about 5 miles of "double track" but if you're not on the 2102 excursion, it's only accessible by foot, bicycle, or Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway excursions (ie, not car). There are also two more sections of double track on R&N's ex-LV main to Pittston that R&N uses (see attached map):

- a approx 4 mile double track section from Crestwood over the summit at Penobscot to Solomon's Gap
- a approx 10 mile section from Laurel Run to Dupont PA

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cjvrr Wrote:
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> I think they are using some artistic license with
> the ad.
>
> The post from Mr. Muller Press release  clearly
> states the Big Boy will only run one excursion on
> Sunday, June 14th.
>
> My guess is between June 15th and July 1 the Big
> Boy and passenger cars will be getting work done
> at the new shop in Nesquehoning and will be
> displayed outside when available.   Hence the
> note a "the train will meet and pass the Big
> Boy"  It does not say the Big Boy will be
> running.
>
I think you are probably right, but then what is the point? If 4014 can be viewed at the boarding site at Nesquehoning, why ride the excursion? Or will it be positioned in such a way that it can only be viewed from onboard the train? A fleeting glimpse or two from onboard the train doesn't sound like much of a sell. It makes for a great weekend of chasing or chasing and riding but as far as an excursion being sold at a premium cost as a way to see the 4014, I'm not quite getting it.

Publicity Stunts..........

The drone and helicopter activity may be significant in the area. 

Was it the 425 excursion on NJ Transit / MetroNorth where a photo helicopter swooped in at Moodna Viaduct?  Impacting a lot of folks on board recording sound, and folks on the ground shooting film (!) ?

That was the 614 on Moodna.  I was there photographing on one of the days.  That happened a few times with those trips.

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> The drone and helicopter activity may be
> significant in the area. 
>
> Was it the 425 excursion on NJ Transit /
> MetroNorth where a photo helicopter swooped in at
> Moodna Viaduct?  Impacting a lot of folks on
> board recording sound, and folks on the ground
> shooting film (!) ?

Take your bicycle to Glen Onoko and pedal up in the gorge.

twl

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cjvrr Wrote:
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> That was the 614 on Moodna.  I was there
> photographing on one of the days.  That happened
> a few times with those trips.


Thanks!   Many folks weren't pleased with the aerial activity.

cjvrr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think they are using some artistic license with
> the ad.
>
> The post from Mr. Muller Press release  clearly
> states the Big Boy will only run one excursion on
> Sunday, June 14th.
>
> My guess is between June 15th and July 1 the Big
> Boy and passenger cars will be getting work done
> at the new shop in Nesquehoning and will be
> displayed outside when available.   Hence the
> note a "the train will meet and pass the Big
> Boy"  It does not say the Big Boy will be
> running.
>
> Its supposed to depart on July 2nd to get to
> Philly for the 4th.   I expect on July 1st the
> Big Boy will be shiny and polished for its display
> on the 4th. 
>
> I had also hear rumor the Big Boy will be in
> Steamtown on June 15th.   So the one way run to
> Pittston on the 14th would make sense if it is to
> be displayed at Steamtown on the 15th.


Wonder if the right hand knows what the left hand is doing. I just read a post on another forum by a guy that phoned the UP Museum and talked directly to the Director, "Vanessa", who stated that the cars will be the UP yellow coaches and tickets have NOT yet gone on sale. Tickets will likely be $2000 per person! Remember that all those UP cars are full sealed up, i.e. NO OPEN WINDOWS!

UP tix are solfd thru the museum, the cheap tickets are not on the yellow train I would guess, only coaches UP has that it uses are the 2 dome coaches, they could sell some other space to, but typically the two coaches they have been selling.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/10/26 16:56 by dan.

Brings to mind "The Great Race" in 1989 up Cajon Pass.  BUT, there were two active steam trains (4449 and 8444) departing Los Angeles in very scenic surroundings snarling traffic for miles on the adjacent interstate highway.
THAT was spectacular.  

Also N&W 611 and 1218 "racing"at the 1987 NRHS convention, heading west from Roanoke up Christiansburg grade.  Good times.

Jim

I noticed that they revised the brochure to take off the race comment. I really think that was intended to just mean two steam trains on the same mainline, not a literal race or side by side running. I guess there are a couple of spots where a little side by side can be done but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

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