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Railfest returns to Scranton with Union Pacific 'Big Boy' engine

Railfest weekend kicked off in Scranton on Saturday with a celebration of a special train.

SCRANTON, Pa. — Steamtown National Historic Site hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the restoration of Steamtown's Union Pacific 'Big Boy' engine.

The train was removed from display back in 2019 for the restoration that was just completed.

"So they put in $1.6 million worth of restoration work. So they had to remove all of the asbestos that was on the engine over time, repainting it. They used automotive paint to help it last a little bit longer. So it will be on permanent display here at Steamtown outdoors so we’re hoping it stays in pretty good condition. We also have solar panels on the roof of the big boy here to help power the lights on the front so they will always be on for those coming in the light of the big boy will be on front display," said Megan Stevens, Steamtown.

Including the one in Steamtown, there are only eight 'Big Boy' engines left in the country, with most of them on display in museums.

Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel.  

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