Carbon County is preparing for a surge of visitors next month when one of the world’s largest steam locomotives makes a stop in downtown Jim Thorpe, prompting county officials to adjust work schedules, coordinate a multiagency security plan and close portions of Lehigh Street to accommodate the crowds.

Union Pacific’s Big Boy locomotive is expected to arrive between 4 and 6 p.m. on July 1, according to Carbon County Commissioner Michael Sofranko, who briefed the public Thursday during the board’s regular meeting.

“Around 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on July 1, that is when the Union Pacific Big Boy train is scheduled to arrive here in Jim Thorpe,” Sofranko said. “That does not mean that the train will be right here at 4, but it’ll be in that two-hour gap.”

County offices will dismiss employees two hours early on July 1, at 2:30 p.m., and will open two hours late on July 2, at 10:30 a.m. Sofranko said the adjustments were made for safety reasons, not in response to any specific threat.

“To try to get people moving in and out of Jim Thorpe safely, adding traffic doesn’t help our sheriff’s deputies,” he said.

The commissioners meeting originally scheduled for July 2 has been moved to July 1 to keep the public from navigating downtown congestion to attend.

“If taxpayers want to come to a commissioners’ meeting, then they’re not fighting with traffic and everything else,” Sofranko said.

County officials held a planning session Wednesday that included representatives from the Jim Thorpe Police Department, Nesquehoning Police Department, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Department, the Emergency Management Agency and the commissioners themselves. Sofranko said the group drew heavily on lessons learned from the locomotive’s recent stop in Nesquehoning.

Traffic and pedestrian movement in Jim Thorpe will be managed by the Jim Thorpe Police Department, while the Sheriff’s Department will handle security at county properties and parking areas, he said.

“There will be some type of command post with ambulances stationed in the area in case they are needed,” Sofranko said. “We do anticipate closing the parking on Lehigh Street for the 24-hour period, and trying to get everyone into the county lots and have viewing areas along the county lot, so that those people who want to see the train are basically off of the roadway and not blocking traffic.”

Union Pacific security personnel will accompany the train at all times, as they did in Nesquehoning.

“Our hope is that it’s in an area where you’ll be able to get close enough to take pictures,” Sofranko added.

The locomotive is expected to depart Jim Thorpe by 9 a.m. on July 2, giving officials time to clear the parking lots before county employees arrive for their delayed start.

Sofranko cautioned that all plans remain subject to change given the nature of rail travel.

“Everything that we have heard from Nesquehoning is that Union Pacific has been outstanding to work with, and Reading Blue Mountain and Union Pacific reps that we’ve had here have been very easy for us to work with,” he said.

The Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency has been in contact with downtown businesses about the visit.

“They’re trying to get as many of their members to extend hours in the downtown area for those who wish to be coming into town, whether it be to shop, have dinner, or whatever,” Sofranko said.