[MSCW list] MSCW 2026 Destination Drive #7 - Big Boy Interception - 07/07/2026

[Timothy Metzinger]

While we drove to Scranton in mid-June to see the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 locomotive on a static display, THIS trip is to see it in motion.   The train will be in Philadelphia for the 4th and the 5th of July, and will move to King of Prussia PA on July 6th.  On the 7th, the train will head from King of Prussia to Enola PA, with a stop in Lebanon PA.  Our mission (should you choose to accept it), is to intercept the train in the morning between King of Prussia and Lebanon.  I'm thinking that Richland PA may be a good place to try for, but the actual spotting place will probably not be known until mid-June - I'm going to go and do some scouting in May.  Some warnings:

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This will be an EARLY departure - we want to get to our spotting place about the same time the train leaves King of Prussia - there will be LOTS of folks wanting to see the train go by, so we want to stake out our spot(s) and be prepared to sit for some hours.  Think of it like camping out to see Star Wars (if you were alive back then) or to get Queen or Stones tickets.
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We don't want to be too close to the tracks.  UP says 25 feet, and that's reasonable.  This train will be LOUD, so bring hearing protection.
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Since we'll be camping out, bring snacks and water.  Once the train goes by, folks may want to 'chase it' and set up another spot in the afternoon between Lebanon and Enola, but I'll be heading home.  Anyone coming home with me is welcome to join me for lunch - I'm going to the Friendly's in Gettysburg.

Logistics:
Assembly - On Tuesday July 7, Wthe 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 head out via US15 at 6:45 AM.
Time/Distance - One-way distance will be around 120 miles and will take a couple hours..
Food - We MAY find a diner up near our spotting place for a breakfast.
Fees - No fees for this trip
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.
Weather - No Rain Date for this event
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-08. Don't use Facebook to indicate you're going.
Visit www.midatlanticscenicdrives.com for maps and GPS files - they'll be up by June 25.



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