[MSCW list] MSCW 2026 Destination Drive #7 - Big Boy in Steamtown

[Timothy Metzinger]

Another event in a very busy June!

The largest operating steam locomotive, the Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is making a cross-country tour as part of America's semiquincentennial.  It's already headed from its home in Cheyenne to the West Coast, and is heading east to be in Philadelphia on July 4th.  Information about the entire trip is available here - https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam.

But on the way to Philly, the Big Boy will be in Scranton, PA, at the Steamtown National Historic Site, on June 15th and June 16th.  You can buy tickets ($1.00) for timed viewings now at the National Park Service https://www.nps.gov/stea/planyourvisit/big-boy-reunion-at-steamtown-2026.htm. I've bought tickets for the 15th and the 16th at 11:30 each day.

I'm going to lead two expeditions related to this train.  The first will be on June 15th or 16th (depending on weather) and we'll head up from Frederick MD (around 7:30 AM) to Scranton PA where we'll need to find parking and get to the park entrance between 11:00 and Noon.

The second expedition will be in July, as the Big Boy heads from Philadephia back to Cheyenne.  This drive will be to a spot where we can see the Big Boy steam by under power - it will be a chance for pictures and such, but we won't be able to get close.   Details on the second drive will be published in June.

Please order your tickets from the NPS now - they'll go fast - https://www.nps.gov/stea/planyourvisit/big-boy-reunion-at-steamtown-2026.htm, and shoot for 11:30.  If you have to get a later slot because 11:30 is sold out, try for one at noon or 12:30.   I strongly suggest you buy tickets (they're only $1) for the 15th and the 16th if you have the flexibility.  Please don't sign up until you actually have your NPS reservation.

Logistics:
Assembly - On Monday June 15th, the group will start assembling at 7:00 AM at the Harry Grove Stadium / Nymeo field in Frederick MD (21 Stadium Drive, Frederick, MD, 21703).  There is a Sheetz nearby (6050 Buckeystown Pike, exit 54 off I-70 Eastbound) where you can fill your tank and empty your bladder.
Departure - We'll leave the stadium at 7:30 AM.
Time/Distance - 200 miles (3 hours 15 minutes) from Frederick to Scranton.  The rally point once we've found parking (we may be scattered) will be 30 Lackawanna Ave in Scranton, and from there we can walk to the gates for the park.
Fees - NPS charges a nominal $1 per person.
Food - I expect food will be available all over, and may plan a post-visit meal for the group if I can find a place.   Scranton may be a zoo so we may want to leave, drive for a bit, and THEN have a meal together.
Car limits – I'm going to set 24 cars as the initial limit and will add more.  You do NOT have to drive your sports car - this is the kind of thing you may want extra seats for your whole family.
Rain Date - If the weather is bad on the 15th, we can try on the 16th (for folks who bought tickets for both days)
Technology -  I will bring fourteen extra Midland GMRS radios.  If you want to bring your own GMRS radio, we will be using Channel 30 on Midland Radios, or 462.7000 MHz frequency and CTCSS 17 (118.8 Hz) for the privacy code.  In Glympse, we'll use the !mscw_cruise tag to keep track of each other.

RSVP via signup genius at https://rebrand.ly/mscw2026-dd-07
Don't use Facebook to indicate you're going.
Visit www.midatlanticscenicdrives.com for maps and GPS files.


Drive safely and HAVE FUN,

Timothy (Tim) Metzinger

Scenic Drive Coordinator – Mazda Sport Cars of Washington, DC

Current drive list - https://www.midatlanticscenicdrives.com/mscwdrives.html

Guide to our group drives – https://midatlanticscenicdrives.com/downloads/MSCW_Group_Drive_Guide.pdf

tim.metzinger at outlook.com<mailto:tim.metzinger at outlook.com>

703.963.3015