Big Boy No. 4014 Lifts Altoona Sales 20%-30% as 4-Day Visit Packs Hotels
Updated
Updated · Altoona Mirror · Jul 10
Big Boy No. 4014 Lifts Altoona Sales 20%-30% as 4-Day Visit Packs Hotels
3 articles · Updated · Altoona Mirror · Jul 10
Summary
Tom and Joe’s said weekday business jumped 20% to 30%, nearly matching weekend sales, as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 drew railfans into downtown Altoona during its four-day stop.
Sold-out hotels, crowded museum lines and heavier street traffic pointed to a broad visitor surge, with officials calling the locomotive’s America 250 tour stop one of Blair County’s biggest visitation events.
Some merchants turned the crowds into themed products—from Big Boy T-shirts and a brown ale to a four-shot espresso latte—though not every business saw a major sales spike.
Regular customers appeared to stay away from some events, including the farmers market, suggesting the tourism boost was uneven even as owners generally welcomed the extra foot traffic.
Officials hope the short-term spending also brings repeat tourism by exposing visitors and locals to Altoona’s museums, churches, restaurants and downtown shops.