PTR: Matt goes to Trainfestival 2009

[mcjaco]

So, as many of you know, my addiction....err affliction, to EPCOT is almost as bad as my love for things that ride on rails. My Father is a huge train nut, and as a kid he'd take me up to town on the back of his bicycle to watch trains.

 

At least once a summer he'd book a trip on an excursion trip behind one of the few remaining and operating steam locomotives in the country. The minute I smell a steam locomotive, it takes me waaaaay back.

 

Fast forward to the present, and the little town of Owosso, Michigan (by Flint), holds a Trainfestival every year. Owosso is the home of the Steam Railroad Institute, and the Pere Marquette 1225 Berkshire type locomotive. You may recognize it, as it was used to model the train in the movie the "Polar Express." This year Owosso pulled out all the stops and invited the Nickel Plate Railroad's 765 (a berkshire, and sister loco to the 1225), and Southern Pacific's famous 4449 Daylight Northern class locomotive. The 4449 is also known for pulling the American Freedom Train way back in 1976, and for starring in the movie Tough Guys.

 

The Daylight would travel all the way from Portland, OR (it's home base) through Washington, Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and finally Michigan. An incredible feat for a locomotive that's 70 some odd years old.

 

The last time a gathering of operating steam locomotives this large happened was in 1999 in Sacramento, CA. So it's been awhile, and this was quite the big deal for train levers.....err, nerds.

 

Anyway, enough of my babbling and on to the pictures....

Sorry. I ride in class. This is the best view while enjoying a brew.

What better way to end this?

Chicks dig trains.

This is actually the newest steam locomotive in the country. It ws recently scratch built off of plans from a locomotive in the 1800's!

Back at the show 1225 sits.

Like this one.

Railfanning is like fishing. There's a lot of sitting around in wierd locales waiting for one good picture.

They also had longer excursions (a whole day trip). Each day a different one of the larger steamers woulld pull the train (765 in this case).

You could operate a steam locomotive. If you wanted to wait in a line, and sign your life away.

They also had hourly train rides.

Artsy fartsy.

So pretty.

The star of the show, SP 4449. Which pulled the famous Daylights from SF to LA up and down the California coast.

Also beastly.

Beastly.

And to think you had to "see" down this while moving all those levers and dials.

How the hell did they even drive these things? It amazes the complexity of the whole thing.

The eight drive wheels on the 4449 are 80 inches. Or 6' 8" for those with summer break brain.

You just don't grasp the size of these, until you get close (note that is not me )

But the 1225 (seen here), the 765 and the 4449 are some of the largest still running.

Most of the steam locomotives in attendance (there were 10 in all) were small, like these two.

And even little trains you can ride on!

One of the first types of diesels.

Little tank engines for switching.

Everything was on display from more modern diesels.

In the back, 1225. In the foreground 4449. Saturday saw a very large crowd.

They always give you "collector" ticket stubs for you ticket stub afficionados.

Owosso, MI. Home to the Steam Railroad Institute. Or something no one has never heard of.

Welcome!

[OldJJman]

Nice Matt! Very cool!!

 

 

I've had two experiences with the 4449.

 

I saw it as the "Freedom Train" at Anaheim Stadium in (IIRC) November of '75. I actually have the pictures somewhere.

 

Then in 1989, my brother and I went to the 50th anniversary of Union Station in Los Angeles, where the 8444 (844) and the 4449 came in side-by-side! That was pretty cool!! (Again, I have the pics ...somewhere!)

 

 

JJ

 

On a semi-related note:

 

I was doing a collection today, I got stopped at a RR crossing by....

The Ringling Brother's and Barnum Bailey Circus train!! (Btw - 83 cars long. NERD!)

[derwood]

This was very cool.

 

I'll have to find my freedom train pictures...don't get any ideas I am not near as old as Jeff.

 

daron

[dandaman]

I came.

[Guy T. Koepp]

Most awesome! Those beasts are beautiful! I want to touch one!

[ebl]

Matt, from another railfan, I greatly appreciated your very nice report. You'd like living where I do---a busy Union Pacific line about 100 feet behind the house across a busy state highway.

 

 

^ That has passed behind my house. I haven't seen it personally, as it went by when I wasn't home. But it uses that track to get to points north from L.A.

 

Eric

[mcjaco]

Very cool Jeff. I pass by the Circus train everyday on my way to work when it's in town in November. Still amazes me seeing it.

 

Darron, we know you're not as old as Jeff. I'd love to see your pics, I was only four months old when my Dad took me to see it.

 

Eric, I've lived within blocks of a train line all my life. I'm not sure I could fall asleep without the rumbling sound, and horns!

 

I've got some short video I might post tonight.

[BeemerBoy]

Dork.

 

 

The SP 4449 is certainly impressive, and definitely stands out!

 

 

Scott "one rail still > two" B.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Matt, from another railfan, this was terriffic! I've always been a fan of the smaller switchers, particularly the steam saddletank variety. This is the first time I've seen them in real life. Very cool!

 

Glad you shared this!