With thousands of tickets sold for its upcoming series of Semiquincentennial Steam Celebration excursions, Reading & Northern Railroad is also anticipating thousands more trackside spectators to bear witness to these historic events. As the arrival of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is imminent, the railroad, and its police department in particular, aim to remind everyone about respecting both railroad and private property in the process.

The following public service announcement will be posted on all company websites and company-sanctioned social media: “With the Semiquincentennial Steam train trips quickly approaching, Reading & Northern wants to remind everyone that we want 100% compliance with this epic railfan event set to take place over 4 days here on the R&N! We request that everyone photographs and films from safe, legal locations and stays a minimum of 25 feet away from the railroad tracks!

“Stay off railroad tracks, bridges, trains, rail and signal equipment, and towers; and stay out of rail yards and tunnels. DO not fly drones over tracks or rail yards, and do not take off or land on R&N property. This will be strictly enforced, and violators will be issued citations for trespassing. Also, we want to remind everyone to be respectful towards each other, comply with directives from R&N employees, security, law enforcement, and with neighboring property owners. Please see our policies on videography/photography and drone use. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.”

A detailed outline of videography/photography and drone use policies is accompanying this posting. Reading & Northern has always been known as a “railfan-friendly” railroad and appreciates the perennial interest in its steam train operations. For these events, however, locations where people are traditionally allowed onto the property to view trains will be off limits. Places including but not limited to Pittston, Penobscot, Nesquehoning, Port Clinton and Reading Outer Station will open only to ticketed passengers. Visiting railfans are welcome to view the spectacle from any safe, public locations.