Steam strains in Owosso, Mich.?

[RobertInOntario]

My family & I just finished watching The Polar Express. We really enjoyed the story, the visuals and sound effects.

I did some googling and found out that the "real-life" Polar Express is based in Owosso, Mich. and I found this website (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mstrp.com/schedule.html">http://www.mstrp.com/schedule.html</a><!-- m -->) as well as 1-2 others. Just wondering if any forum members have visited and recommend this railway and if it operates during the summer, etc.

Owosso isn't that far from Toronto (Mapquest says less than 5 hours) so it might be a good place to visit during the summer, especially if a Berkshire (and other steam locos?) are operating!

Thanks,
Rob

[conrailmike]

It's really not the "polar express", the movie did however use the sounds of the PM 1225. SRI owns and operates the Pere Marquette 1225. They do run excursions and have special events. They also run excursions in conjuction with the Bluewater Chapter of the NRHS. The BIG event that is still to come, is Trainfest 2009 (July) which is going to be awesome due to the NKP 765 coming from Indiana to join the 1225. The link for the Trainfest is here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainfestival2009.com/">http://www.trainfestival2009.com/</a><!-- m -->

Tickets are already on sale for the event. The PM 1225 will run an excursion up on Saturday and then the NKP 765 will run one on Sunday of that weekend. I hope to be there...

[RobertInOntario]

It's really not the "polar express", the movie did however use the sounds of the PM 1225. SRI owns and operates the Pere Marquette 1225. They do run excursions and have special events. They also run excursions in conjuction with the Bluewater Chapter of the NRHS. The BIG event that is still to come, is Trainfest 2009 (July) which is going to be awesome due to the NKP 765 coming from Indiana to join the 1225. The link for the Trainfest is here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainfestival2009.com/">http://www.trainfestival2009.com/</a><!-- m -->

Tickets are already on sale for the event. The PM 1225 will run an excursion up on Saturday and then the NKP 765 will run one on Sunday of that weekend. I hope to be there...

Thanks for this info and this link. It looks like it will be an awesome event!

Rob

[nkp_174]

Keep an eye on that website...there will very likely be more steam than that...depending on their resources and potential discussions with other groups. I'm definitely going to be there.

[RobertInOntario]

Keep an eye on that website...there will very likely be more steam than that...depending on their resources and potential discussions with other groups. I'm definitely going to be there.

Thanks -- that sounds good (that there will probably be other steam events). I'll check the site especially during the spring/summer. Cheers, Rob

[nkp_174]

that there will probably be other steam events

Actually, there will probably be more locomotives at the same time.

They will not publish what they want to do...or are currently negotiating to make possible...so that way no one gets blamed if a specific locomotive can't make it. I do know that they are not done with possibly turning this into the most memorable steam event (in the east) since, probably the 1993 NRHS convention which had the UP 3985, the NKP 765, and the NKP 587....or maybe even St. Louis in 1990...the UP 844, N&W 1218, Frisco 1522, and Cotton Belt 819. (note that I did not mention the previous 1225-765 meeting).

At some point in the future...the 765 (ready), 587 (overhaul), and 763 (restoration) will all be operational...and Doyle hopes to bring is NKP Bluebird to the east...that'll be pretty exciting...but probably close to 10yrs out. Hopefully there'll be a party on the Ohio Central...

[RobertInOntario]

that there will probably be other steam events

Actually, there will probably be more locomotives at the same time.

They will not publish what they want to do...or are currently negotiating to make possible...so that way no one gets blamed if a specific locomotive can't make it. I do know that they are not done with possibly turning this into the most memorable steam event (in the east) since, probably the 1993 NRHS convention which had the UP 3985, the NKP 765, and the NKP 587....or maybe even St. Louis in 1990...the UP 844, N&W 1218, Frisco 1522, and Cotton Belt 819. (note that I did not mention the previous 1225-765 meeting).

At some point in the future...the 765 (ready), 587 (overhaul), and 763 (restoration) will all be operational...and Doyle hopes to bring is NKP Bluebird to the east...that'll be pretty exciting...but probably close to 10yrs out. Hopefully there'll be a party on the Ohio Central...

Wow -- As steam fan, this is sounding more tempting all the time! Rob

[conrailmike]

ATTENTION!! ATTENTION!!!

UPDATE ON TRAINFESTIVAL 2009 IN OWOSSO MICHIGAN.

THE EVER FAMOUS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE SP DAYLIGHT 4449 WILL TRAVEL ALL THE WAY TO MICHIGAN TO BE AT TRAINFESTIVAL.

MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND HERE: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainfestival2009.com/4449.php">http://www.trainfestival2009.com/4449.php</a><!-- m -->