Eastern Railroad Discussion > Chasing the UP4014 Big Boy on NS in Berks County.

Hi All , It's been a while since I posted anything. I use to report on the trains by Mertztown Station, PA back when I was the head shipper and yard master at the Atlas Chemical plant in Mertztown,PA on the NS Reading line, former Reading East Penn Branch.. I retired a little over 10 years ago. Anyway the UP 4014 Big Boy has been visiting Pennsylvania the last 4 weeks and I saw it up Scranton way, and down below Tamaqua and today a couple of my local rail fan buddies and I went down to catch the UP4014 on it's way west on it's journey back home. So we saw it at Stow, PA just north of Pottstown, PA and Then again just west of Robinsonia, PA in Hidleburg Township, PA. (West of Reading, PA). I got some good video and pictures at Stow, Then pictures from a bridge in Hidelburg Township. Here is the video and some of the pictures. I must tell you at The bridge many of the local farmers and their kids were tresspassing  below the bridge taping coins to the rails.  After seeing that I have no more comments on the stupidness of some of the local farmer community. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/07/26 19:36 by jim6300loco.

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Thanks for posting Jim.

The local farm community in Hidelburg Township, Berks County, PA.

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Thanks for posting! I follow your son's postings, but I'm "Down the Line" as you "Pretzel Valley boys" call it.
Don't be too harsh on your local farm familys. Putting or taping coins on the rails is a centuries old tradition now. Not just just a rural tradition. About ten years ago a railfan friend placed a penny, a nickle, a dime, a quarter and a half dollar  on the SEPTA track behind his house! The engineer took notice and peered out of the cab at the track. Nothing more.
But kids sitting on the rails? I'm sure the sounds of any approaching trains would have the farmers and their fanmilies scrambling for safer places. But really the rails are seriously an uncomfortable place to plant one's butt!
gonut
Actually "taping' the coins is a revelation! It was always a not so successful search to find the squashed coin! A win for Pennsylvania Dutch/Mennonite Communities, who would have thought?

Still working at 80 and not sure why...
Gonut

Most surprising thing I’ve seen proximate to the Big Boy is those DQYX former CR ortners. Didn’t know about them but nice to see they soldier on.

Good vid!

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/07/26 20:15 by Montview.

In your caption, when you say "it's", are you saying "it is" or "it has"? Neither makes any sense

PRR1361 Wrote:
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> In your caption, when you say "it's", are you
> saying "it is" or "it has"? Neither makes any
> sense

Which “it’s?”

Posted from iPhone

Fantastic video pop!!

Dan

Posted from iPhone

IT HAS.

Thanks!

Great shot from above!