Big Boy heading east out of Lancaster, New York. June 10, 2026. Huge crowds at every stop as this monster made its first trip east since it was built. The sound is deafening -- not just the whistle but the clank and rumble of the pistons and side-rods. And the smell of hot oil, which stays with me over 12 hours after the experience.
About 1:10 the short whistle blasts, plus the steam jets from the sides, indicates the engineer's displeasure at people standing too near the tracks...














