The Union Pacific “Big Boy” 4014 will make a brief stop in Tamaqua Thursday morning.

And with its visit, “big” crowds and “big” traffic are expected.

The 1.2-million-pound steam engine is expected to stop at the Tamaqua Train Station around 10:20 a.m. as it makes its way from Jim Thorpe to Reading, and then onto Philadelphia for an Independence Day celebration.

Even though the whistle stop in Tamaqua will last only about 15 minutes, parking is expected to be at a premium.

The parking lot at St. Luke’s Tamaqua Medical Center and Tommy’s along North Railroad Street will not be open to train enthusiasts. The lot will be patrolled by security.

In addition, the Tamaqua Community Ambulance, which is also near the train station, asks that no one park on their property.

The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce advises that private parking lots are for customers only, and people shouldn’t park in them without permission.

The Chamber, however, is partnering with the Tamaqua Odd Fellows to offer parking for a fee.

The locations will be at the Tamaqua Area High School, 500 Penn St., and the Tamaqua Elementary School, 490 Boyle Ave.

“We can’t wait to welcome thousands of railfans to Tamaqua,” said Aimee Dotson, executive director of the Chamber.

She noted that proceeds will benefit Chamber programs, as well as the Odd Fellows, which maintain the historic cemetery on the borough’s west end and organize the annual Summerfest and Heritage Festival in Tamaqua’s downtown.

Not only will the “Big Boy” arrive in town, Dotson said, a Reading & Northern passenger train pulled by two diesel locomotives decorated in patriotic colors is expected to roll in around 10:05 a.m.

Tamaqua Mayor David Clemson noted that the Tamaqua Police Department and Tamaqua Fire Police will be on hand to assist with traffic and crowds.

The Big Boy will depart Jim Thorpe at 9 a.m., and arrive in Nesquehoning around 9:20 a.m. before heading to Tamaqua.

It will pass through Barnesville, New Ringgold, Port Clinton and Hamburg and stop in Reading.

The Reading Outer Station will be open to the public to view the Big Boy, which will leave Reading at 2:20 p.m. and make its way onto Norfolk Southern tracks.

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