Last month, Steamtown National Historic Site celebrated the historic Big Boy Reunion, bringing together Union Pacific 4012, which is permanently displayed at the park, and Union Pacific 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive. The reunion marked the first time the twin engines had been together since leaving the factory in 1941. More than 35,000 visitors came during the busiest days, creating excitement throughout the park and the Scranton community and exceeding the park's total visitation last year.

Preparing for this historic event was a true team effort. Merchandise coordinated exclusive products, IT added registers, HR supported hiring seasonal staff, Accounts Payable processed numerous invoices, Creative promoted the event on the America’s National Parks Online Store (ShopANP), and the warehouse fulfilled large product transfers. Additional on-site support came from 16 HQ and warehouse team members, along with regional and store managers from other sites. The record sales demonstrated the excitement surrounding this once-in-a-lifetime reunion. Despite long lines, the store team remained focused on our mission, answering visitor questions, sharing the receipt survey, and promoting Big Boy Reunion and Passport merchandise. Their park spirit shined through as they shared train and park information, earning praise for their knowledge, positivity, and efficiency.

The Eastern National Creative Team developed a commemorative ticket for the event. Inspired by historic railroad passenger tickets, it was designed with a nod to the past while also including a QR code to our online store. What began as a simple giveaway quickly became a hit with visitors and collectors, sparking Facebook discussions about where to find the tickets and prompting attendees to mail extras to those who missed out. The ticket’s QR code was scanned more than 1,400 times, directing customers to ShopANP. Together, the record-breaking park store and ShopANP online sales highlight the significant revenue opportunity tied to this historic event.