Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 on the Reading & Northern

On June 13 and 14 and July 1 and 2, Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 operated across the Reading & Northern system in northeast Pennsylvania as part of its America 250 Transcontinental Tour. Joining the 4014 between Pittston and Nesquehoning was Reading & Northern's own steam locomotive, former Reading Company T-1 #2102, pulling a 25 car excursion in conjunction with the Big Boy's operation. On June 13, the two locomotives raced each other up the grade from Pittston to Mountain Top, creating scenes the likes of which had not been seen in decades. Between Nesquehoning and Reading, the 4014 followed a Reading & Northern diesel-hauled excursion with 250th Anniversary liveried GP38-2 #2026 and SD40-2 #1776. Running with the 4014 were three heritage locomotives: UP1616 "Abraham Lincoln" and two 250th Anniversary themed locomotives: NS1776 and UP1776. Taken over the course of three days on the railroad, we travel south from Pittston as far as Leesport. We see all three operating trains, including on the railroad's steepest ascents to Mountain Top and Hometown.