Big Boy week is here, and the weather forecast for the four days during which it will pass through the area is iffy, calling each day for partly sunny skies, but with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Still, while a behemoth confined to rails can’t dodge the raindrops, the most important public presentations for the world’s largest operating steam locomotive happen to fit into the better parts of the spotty weather pattern predicted by the National Weather Service between Wednesday and Saturday, based on an analysis of details.

Wednesday is an exception, as the possible thunderstorms predicted for that day are most likely to occur after 2 p.m. — which is about two hours before the Big Boy will be passing by Tyrone, followed by Bellwood, then Altoona, where it will park in front of the Railroaders Memorial Museum between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m. for a public viewing. Still, there may be no rain at all Wednesday, as the chance of precipitation is just 30%, according to the NWS website.

Thursday and Friday are the days with the broadest viewing opportunities, as the Big Boy will be on public display between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days on newly laid tracks parallel to the Norfolk Southern mainline in Rose Yard, with pedestrian entry on Eighth Avenue at Fifth Street, and shuttle bus service for motorists from Peoples Natural Gas Field and the Logan Valley Mall parking lot near the former Macy’s. On Thursday, the showers and thunderstorms that have a 40% chance of occurring are predicted to happen after 2 p.m., when the viewing will be over; and on Friday, the probable showers and possible thunderstorms — rainfall that is 70% likely to occur in some form — are again mainly likely after 2 p.m., when public viewing is done.

On Saturday, when there will be a sold-out public display for ticketed viewers only at the Horseshoe Curve between 9:30 and 10 a.m., followed by passage through the New Portage Tunnel in Gallitzin and a half-hour sojourn starting at 10:45 p.m. at Cresson Railroad Park, there is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with those likely to occur in the morning, according to Accuweather.

Break in the heat

While the precipitation forecast looks semi-decent, the temperature forecast for the four days of the Big Boy looks good, considering that it’s July — compared to the temps that Berks County railfans endured while waiting for and viewing the Big Boy last Thursday.

That day, the highs were between 103 and 106 degrees, with humidity making it feel like more than 110 degrees, according to an online source.

The heat overcame many loco enthusiasts, with more than 100 individuals treated for heat issues, leading to a mass casualty declaration.

Temperatures predicted for the Big Boy’s time in the Altoona area are far less daunting — with a high of 83 Wednesday, 87 Thursday, 83 Friday and 82 Saturday, according to the NWS.

Museum viewing

On Wednesday, the Big Boy can be viewed while it’s parked in front of the Railroad Museum from the 12th and 13th street pedestrian bridges over the mainline, but occupancy will be limited, based on the Fire Department’s capacity estimates for those bridges. The city will enforce those limits based on a wristband distribution that will begin at 1 p.m., first-come, first-served, at the entrances on both ends of both bridges. The locomotive can also be viewed that day from the walkway along the mainline next to the Railroad Museum, although that will be limited to 890 people. The Transportation Center Garage will also be available for viewing, with a limit of 115 people per level.

BYO goodies at Rose Yard

On Thursday and Friday, no parking will be permitted in the neighborhood surrounding the Rose Yard pedestrian access at Eighth Avenue and Fifth Street.

There will be no opportunity for attendees to buy food or drink at Rose Yard, so attendees should bring their own refreshments, according to City Manager Christopher McGuire.

There will, however, be photo and educational opportunities at the Rose Yard viewing.

A Norfolk Southern train will be parked beyond the tracks on which the Big Boy train will be standing to fence off the active main line, according to authorities.

There will be no charge for the shuttle service or attendance at Rose Yard.

Preparations scheduled

On Saturday, the highway leading to the Horseshoe Curve will be closed to regular traffic, while the Altoona Water Authority watershed forest between the headwaters of Lake Altoona and the top of the mountain above the Curve also off limits, as a safety precaution due to steep terrain and cliffs — with State Game Commission officials patrolling the watershed land.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.