Big Boy's Coming, Part Two

If you don't know what Big Boy is, refer to the earlier story.

I should point out there are rail cams in Fostoria, surrounding what's known as the Iron Triangle. This one will probably be your best bet for viewing online. As an alternative, try this one. Or even the CSX line, which Big Boy will be crossing.

Don't worry much about missing it because I have no doubt there will be lots of YouTube captures of the event for you to see.

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Couple of points for the 9th: There's a rail museum at North East, which hosts a couple of rail cams, which you'll find here. That area the locals tend to call the "Erie Run." CSX runs a double track through that area, from Conneaut, Ohio, to Buffalo, which is the track nearest to the camera. There’s a single track beyond that, which, being the Norfolk Southern line, is the one Big Boy will be on. It might possibly be a water stop, though the time frame doesn’t make that clear.

There are a couple dozen level crossings between the Ohio state line and Buffalo where you might catch him passing, but bring your GPS. I know the area, and you don’t. You’ll get lost without it — trust me. Mostly, you’ll be running NY 5 and US 20 and the back roads in between them. Be aware that the NS line, which is what Big Boy will be on, has lost more level crossings than the CSX line has, so don’t get it twisted.

The Buffalo stop would be at the NS yard there called Bison Yard, which is up in the old Lovejoy area off William Street. Take I-90 to William St., west to Harlem Road, and head north. Harlem passes over the yard there. You may be able to catch a glimpse of him, but that’s about it. I can’t imagine that the NS police, as well as the Buffalo locals, won’t be all over that neighborhood enforcing parking. Not exactly the safest area, either, even without the event. Better to wait until:

This one is fairly easy to get to. Take the Thruway to Walden Ave., exit 52, and head east for (I think) one traffic light, maybe two. Turn left into the mall lot and pick up the shuttle from there.

Silver Springs is a tight area, and in a residential neighborhood. I’m unaware of any restrictions, but I’m guessing parking will be tight.

Letchworth State Park is a great spot and, in fact, is probably the crown jewel of the New York park system. It’s called the Grand Canyon of the East, and the Genesee River Arch Bridge is the one in the picture above. It’ll make a wonderful shot when Big Boy goes over it.

A couple of cautionary notes. The crowds are going to be very heavy, given the quality of the shot. There is a fee at the gate to get into the park. I gather the southern gate at Portageville will be closed, which means you’ll have to use the gate at Mount Morris. Take I-390 to exit 7, and NY 408 south to NY 36 north. Go through town and the park entrance will be on your left as you leave town. Photos might not be the best, because the sun (if it isn’t cloudy) this time of year will be behind the bridge and the engine, as the shot above shows.

I don’t know Hornell too well, so I can’t advise you very well. Small town.

There are a fair number of lesser-used places along the line, though, as it heads east toward Binghamton. You’ll find that the line parallels I-86 through the area, particularly as you get closer to Binghamton, and occasionally crosses over the tracks. I hear from a friend of mine with reason to know that the NYSP will be working that stretch pretty hard, so don’t try stopping on the freeway, please.

Binghamton’s stop won’t have any car parking available. The layout of the place simply won’t support it. There’s a nice rest areasouth of Binghamton on I-81, though right at the state line, where the track runs along the back of the property. Might catch him heading south out of Bingo that way, with the advantage of having a bathroom and snacks right to hand. (By the way, an earlier version of this writeup had me mentioning US15. That was a serious error on my part).

The Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct, however, is a monster. Check the pics at the link and you'll see what I mean. If you’d like, here’s some history of that viaduct. Erected in 1915, it was a real wonder at the time.

Your best bet is a far-away shot. It’s very tall and very big. The nearest road is US 11. Take I‑81 and follow signs for Nicholson. I do mean that’s the nearest. You’ll be looking straight up. There is another smaller bridge that looks very much like the big one, which actually crosses Route 11 a few miles to the north, that you might do better with. Your call.

The rail museum in Scranton known as Steamtown is always worth a stop. Big Boy 4012 is already there in non-running condition, and I’ve heard they plan to park the two next to each other. That’ll be the first time since 1959. Just be aware the crowds will be at rock-concert level and you need to buy tickets. For what it’s worth, you’ll probably want to revisit the place when it’s less crowded; there’s lots to see.