Thousands Go To Navy Yard To See History As America’s 250th Birthday Features Steam Engine Locomotive “Big Boy”

by Alex Lloyd Gross

The Navy Yard is the place to be for the celebration of America’s 250th Birthday. There are concerts and fireworks elsewhere, but for several hours this weekend, people can actually see history as well as get up close and personal with it. A steam locomotive, named Big Boy cuts and impressive figure at it sites at the Navy Yard , along a set of tracks. It came from California to be seen.

There,people can see it, board a train car and learn a bit about the railroad. Union Pacific does not travel east. That is why this event is so special. Using tracks that are owned by Norfolk Southern as well as CSX, and the agreements between the railroad companies made this happen. Seeing this in person is on so many peoples bucket lists that many traveled from across the United States just to see this.

Hundreds of thousands more lined up along the route to watch it pass by their area. “With the exception of places in Utah and Nevada, where there is nothing, we have had constant crowds come out to see us”, said Ed Dickens, the Chief Engineer of the train. When this train makes stops, he is like a celebrity. People line up to get selfies with him and chat with him about trains.

At the Philadelphia event, 3000 commemorative challenge coins were distributed to people. Both CEO’s of Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific were on hand to talk with the crowd and they took part in a short welcome ceremony.

This train, built in the1940’s was traveling with history. The last car was the Marco polo car, which is the same car that ferried Franklin Delano Roosevelt during his campaign stops. In the 1940’s there was no Air Force One. Air travel was in it’s infancy. It were railroads that ferried politicians to people for speeches and appearances. Unfortunately, the last few cars of the train were not available to the public to see up close.

There are rail cars named after famous people. Abe Lincoln, and so not so famous folks, like Walter Dean. He was a bartender for the railroad and always worked the same car. As a tribute to him, an entire rail car was named after him.

The event is free and they are giving away free swag and water but for Big Boy merch, you have to buy it. Shirts are $38.00 each.

This is history in the making. you should get to the Navy Yard to see it for yourself.