While Carbon and Schuylkill counties are gearing up for a second visit of the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 next week, Reading & Northern Railroad and Jim Thorpe police are releasing information regarding how to safely see the 1.2-million-pound steam engine as it makes its way from Steamtown to Jim Thorpe and then to Reading on its way to Philadelphia for the Fourth of July, officially concluding its cross-country trek east.

“As part of its Semiquincentennial Steam Celebration, the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad is extremely proud to host the Union Pacific Railroad and their legendary ‘Big Boy’ steam locomotive 4014,” the passenger operations department released on the company’s Facebook page.

It then outlined how the events will unfold as both the 4014 and Reading & Northern’s 2102 steam locomotive and 1776 diesel meet again on the rails.

The passenger department stressed that while this schedule is a good outline, times may need to be adjusted slightly.

“RBMN prides itself on running a scheduled railroad where our passenger trains are on the minute,” the release says. “However, given the nature of some of the special plans we have, some of the times may not be exact.”

On July 1, a round-trip excursion with the 2102 will depart Nesquehoning at 9 a.m. and head to Pittston, where it will meet up with the Big Boy at approximately 11:50 a.m. Those who purchased tickets for the excursion will have an opportunity to view the Big Boy during the layover.

Both trains then department Pittston — the Big Boy at 1:30 p.m. and the 2102 at 2:10 p.m.

The two will head back into Carbon County, with the 2102 branching off at the Nesquehoning junction to return back to Nesquehoning, while the 4014 heads into Jim Thorpe. The approximate time of arrival in Jim Thorpe is set for 6:30 p.m.

The train will then remain in Jim Thorpe overnight, with Union Pacific and Reading & Northern railroad police, as well as Jim Thorpe police, overseeing the operation.

In preparation of the arrival, Carbon County has announced it is closing its offices early on July 1, at 2:30 p.m., and will open late on July 2, at 10:30 a.m. The county commissioners’ meeting has also been moved up to 10:30 a.m. July 1.

Jim Thorpe police announced on its Facebook page that residents should expect heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic beginning at approximately 4 p.m. and lasting through the departure of the 4014.

“If you plan on coming to Jim Thorpe to view Union Pacific’s Big Boy, please plan ahead,” the department states. “Viewing areas have been established around the Jim Thorpe Train Station and additional parking will be available at Immaculate Conception Church parking lots located on West Broadway.

“The Jim Thorpe Police Department asks that you do not trespass on anyone’s property unless given permission, do not park on the roadway and block traffic and do not park in posted/prohibited parking spaces in order to view Big Boy.”

On July 2, RBMN will hold another passenger excursion, beginning at Nesquehoning, traveling south to Reading. This train departs at 9 a.m. and will move onto track 1 to allow for a side-by-side photo stop.

The Big Boy also departs Jim Thorpe at 9 a.m. and will meet the 1776 engine in Nesquehoning at approximately 9:20 a.m.

Both trains will then depart from Nesquehoning after an approximate 15 minute layover and will follow the railroad’s mainline.

Fifteen-minute photo stops of the Big Boy are scheduled for Tamaqua at approximately 10:20 a.m.; Port Clinton at 11:31 a.m.; and Hamburg at noon; a five-minute stop will take place at Leesport at 12:40 p.m. before reaching Reading Outer Station around 1:05 p.m., where it will remain until 2:20 p.m.

At Reading Outer Station, the parking lot will not be open to vehicles, but will be open for people to walk in for a public viewing of the 4014 before it leaves on its way to Pottstown.

Additional times announced for the trains passing locations include 11 a.m. in New Ringgold and 12:10 p.m. in Mohrsville.

This is the second time the Union Pacific 4014 will be traveling through the area, with it first arriving in Nesquehoning on June 13 and remaining at the regional railroad station until the morning of June 14. It has since been stationed at Steamtown in Scranton, where it sat on display next to its sister engine 4012 before going in for maintenance.

The locomotive has been on a cross-country excursion from its home on the west coast as part of America’s 250th celebration. It will spend the Fourth of July in Philadelphia before beginning its return trip west.