Steam & Excursion > PM 1225 Pulling Commuter Cars

I'm west of SRI by maybe 1/2 mile on Chipman Street, waiting for PM 1225
to chuff by. It's not a long wait and soon the train makes an appearance.
I'm proud of my 'pan,' and although an odd-ball consist, I like the looks
of stainless steel passenger equipment behind a steamer.

For two days now I've chased PM 1225 between Owosso and Ashley. I've managed
shots in Owosso, on the road between Owosso and Ashley, and at the M-57
crossing just south of Ashley. For those interested, I head west out of town
on M-21, turn right (north) at Delaney Road, go four miles to Judville Road, and
turn left (west) and head to either Carland Road or Meridian Road. If I turn
right (north) at Carland, I can get a shot at the elevator, and then head north
to M-57 and then left (west) to the Ashley Crossing. If I go up Meridian, there
are plenty of spots to catch the train, and then I'll go on to Ashley. The train
does move along at perhaps 30 or so, but I'm able to get ahead of him to get
my shot, and then move on for another 15 or 20 minutes later. I approach train
chasing is a leisurely manner; no pedal-to-the-metal stuff for me. Traveling
at posted speeds (usually 55 mph, slower in towns, look out for deer and tractors)
I'm able to get ahead of the train, set up and balance / center my tripod, and
wait for the train, which will toot in the distance, telling me that I'm on time :-)

John.

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Nice video. It reminds me of chasing the CP 2816 pulling GO Bilevels.

Alec

Posted from iPhone

Nice catch! I also noticed you captured the world's fastest squirrel making a mad dash from right to left in front of the train about 20 seconds or so into the video.

Larry W. Grant
(olddude41)
Dallas, Texas

Thanks, guys. Heh! That squirrel was a fast one.

John.

Nice work, John... yeah, CB&Q used their bilevels on the 5632 and 4960 trips, too. I remember well riding behind NKP 765 on a trip back in the early 80's w/ C&NW bilevels, so
nice to see some in Owosso pulled behind steam in the 21st century!

Great video, loved the dashing squirrel too!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/26/14 07:32 by ut-1.

Very nice and thank you.

I want to repeat myself regarding those of us who post information on this site and I hope Todd sees this also. You have given a detailed description of this wonderful piece of information complete with specific instructions on how to follow this Steam trip. This is wonderful except that viewers from around the world look at these posts and would certainly like to know just where this run took place. I am from Pennsylvania and I have no idea as to where this run occured. There are many of us who are much interested in these postings and would love to know just where this information emanates from.

Again, thank you for the post but to all of us who use this site, please be mind-full that there are probably a handful of us who know where these excursions take place but the rest of the world does not. Where did this run take place?

Thank You

Jim Hardman
Hatboro, PA

To answer Chooch's question: I'm in Michigan. I think if you point to
google.com/maps, and put Owosso, MI into the search bar, you'll nearly land on
SRI (Steam Railroading Institute) Follow the track from Owosso to Ashley, and
you'll see where I was taking the video. As long as the roads aren't icy, a
person can catch the engine in a place or two after the train leaves Owosso.
I figure there are many, many fans within a day's drive to Owosso, and some of
us 'die-hard' types would like to see and maybe chase the train. Heh! It's
way too late in the season to get tickets this year.

John.

Congratulations on VOTD

Very well done, John-and congrats on this VOTD!
Amazing contrast and detail on that cloudy day footage.

Steve