Reading & Northern Issues Safety Directive Ahead Of Union Pacific "Big Boy" 4014 Visit
Published: May 22, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Port Clinton, PA – Ahead of the Reading & Northern's upcoming America250 celebration that will include the legendary "Big Boy" 4014, the railroad and owner Andy Muller, Jr. have issued a press release regarding safety protocols for the event.
"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” #4014 is now less than a month away, 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 will accompany 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. Visting railfans are welcome to view the spectacle from any safe, public locations. Owner/CEO Andy Muller, Jr. has made his company’s intentions clear with these directives and the slogan 'One hundred percent safety is a must. Ninety-nine percent is not enough!' This ethos is certain to endure as Reading & Northern’s freight and passenger operations continue to grow."
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