Steam & Excursion > Pere Marquette 1225 through the eyes of a Westerner

During the recent Thanksgiving holiday, my wife and I traveled from California to visit our daughter in the Detroit area. We had a great visit despite the weather being cold, cloudy, rainy and snow flurries at times, never seeing much sun. Even though it wasn’t a railfanning trip, the Saturday after Thanksgiving my daughter let me borrow her car for the 80 mile drive up to Owosso, home to the Pere Marquette 1225 Berkshire steam locomotive and the annual Polar Express Christmas train to Ashley. On my two previous trips, I was lucky to get sunshine both times, but little chance of it this year so I made the best of what I had to work with. There were large crowds on and off the sold-out train, everyone I met during the chase was friendly and courteous. Even though the 1225 has already been nicely featured over the last few days here on Trainorders, I offer a few more views through the eyes of an out of town Westerner.

1) 10AM sharp and the 1225 is underway, seen at the M-52 grade crossing leaving Owosso.

2) Approaching Baldwin Road just east of Carland, the cool temperature made for a nice steam cloud.

3) “Shooting from the hip”, I was able to beat the train for a grab shot at Meridian Road in Elsie.
 

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The final shots of the chase were a few rosters at the M-57 crossing in Ashley (I must have been standing pretty close to TO member jkh2cpu).

4) A side shot of the 1225 similar to jkh2cpu’s.

5) Former ATSF El Capitan/ Amtrak 39936 transition coach was new since my last visit.

6) As was former Amtrak 39975 high level lounge, now numbered MSTX 580.
 

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7) The last shot is the rear of the train while tied down in Ashley. After negotiating through an obstacle course of mud and weeds to get trackside, I actually got a little sun on Great Lakes Central GP35 393 with Alco trucks. An impressive train, including the two cabooses and auxiliary power car, I counted 17 total cars.

Thanks to all for looking and Happy Holidays!

OYW
 

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Thanks for sharing. Number four is my favorite.  Very clear and sharp images. 

Fantastic shots! Really love the smoke in photos #2 and #3.

Photo two with its bell ringing and smoke blowing is my favorite.
Bob

Excellent photos, Bob.  Nice to see that ex-Amtrak Pacific Parlour car 'Willamette Valley' has found a new home.

Rich

Really like the second and third shots!

Really nice photos, OYW.  The cold really makes the steam vapor appear and you captured it nicely.

Very nice Mr. Bob! Images 2 & 4 are especialy nice IMHO!

KC

Really nice photos in the crisp cold air.  Several nice ones to choose as a favorite.
Brian Stevens

Great pics!!

Nice ones, indeed :-) We've got this weekend
and next Saturday, and then it's all over
until 2020... Probably in spring or summer.

John.