Train Festival 2009

Event Attractions - 8 Operating Steam Locomotives, Huge Model Trains, Miniature Railroad and More

TrainFestival 2009 will have at least 8 Steam Locomotives under steam for railroad enthusiasts to ride behind, photograph and enjoy. Below is a current list. We will continue to add attractions.

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Southern Pacific "Daylight" no. 4449 will be attending TrainFestival 2009 from Portland, OR. The "Daylight" will lead an Amtrak Sponsored trip from Portland 2500 miles to Central Michigan. The no. 4449 will operate an all-day excursion from TrainFestival 2009 on Friday July 24. It will be on display during the event for photographs, cab tours and chats with the crew. The "Daylight" is often refered to as the "most famous steam locomotive in the world". Come see for yourself why! Click here for more information on this trip.

Pere Marquette 2-8-4 Steam Locomotive No.1225 Steam Locomotive is one of the largest operating steam locomotives in the world, this 400-ton steam-powered locomotive will be providing cab tours and train rides throughout the event. One of the main goals of TrainFestival 2009 is to raise funds for No. 1225 in order to complete routine maintenance required by the Federal Railroad Administration every 15 years. The 1225 is due for its next 15 year inspection in 2010. Funds generated from TrainFestival 2009 will be used to help pay for the costs of this work. Make plans to tour the cab, talk with the crew and enjoy a ride behind her! [www.michigansteamtrain.com]

Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 Steam Locomotive No. 765 is a sister to Pere Marquette No. 1225. Both locomotiveswere built by the Lima Locomotive Works, of Lima, Ohio, in the mid 1940's. NKP #765 is owned and operated by the Fort Wayne Historical Society [www.765.org] The #765 will be running a trip to Alma, Michigan on Sunday the 26th. Like the 1225, No. 765 will be open for cab tours on Friday and Saturday to talk with the crew and find out what one of these monsters of the rails is like. Bring lots of film and be ready to take lots of pictures!

Flagg Coal 0-4-0T No. 75 is one of the better known steam locomotives at Trainfestival. It was designed to haul coal hoppers around a coalyard, as well as other light switching duties This locomotive is privately owned by father and son John and Barney Gramling, and resides in Ashley, IN when not on the road. The locomotive was restored by the Gramling’s over a period of ten years. [www.flaggcoalcompany75.com] This locomotive has spent the last 5 years traveling all over the country pulling thousands of passengers. Visitors will have the chance to put their hand on the throttle of this locomotive and take it for a spin and blow the whistle! A chance you won’t want to miss and a memory you won't ever forget.

Little River 4-6-2 No.110 is a steam locomotive that spends most of its time hauling tourists between Quincy and Coldwater, MI. The smallest operating standard-gauge locomotive of its wheel arrangement in the United States, it is a gorgeous steam locomotive will be hauling our hourly trains during the festival. Don’t let its size fool you; it is well suited for handling these trains. Make sure you get your ticket to ride behind #110, tickets will sell out! [www.littleriverrailroad.com]

Little River 0-4-0T No.1 is the stable mate of No.110 and will be the smallest operating steam locomotive at TrainFestival 2009. This locomotive is owned and operated by the Little River Railroad of Coldwater, MI. This locomotive will be on display under steam for all to see and experience. Stop in and chat with the crew. [www.littleriverrailroad.com]

Leviathan 4-4-0 No. 63 will be the newest steam locomotive at the festival, but resemble the oldest. The Leviathan was built from scratch over the past 9 years and is based on an 1860's design. This locomotive which currently resides in West Chicago will make its public debut at TrainFestival 2009. The locomotive is complete with gold leaf trim, gloss paint, wood cab and funnel smoke stack. You will want to see the Leviathan under steam - she is beautiful. The Leviathan will be operating on display and be available for cab tours and access to the crew. This is America's NEWEST operating steam locomotive! [www.leviathan63.com]

Viscose 0-4-0T No.6 Steam Locomotive is a privately owned steam locomotive from Dunkirk, NY that will be traveling to the festival. The No. 6 has been pain-stakingly restored by its owner with no public funds. The locomotive has been traveling around the country operating on tourist railroads and museums. This coal fired locomotive will be on display for everyone to experience.

Various Vintage and Modern Diesel/Electric Locomotives will be on display. Cab tours will be avaiable as well as a diesel locomotive simulator. See how well you can handle a mile long train over the Rockie Mountains!

TrainFestival 2009 is constructing a 4000 foot long miniature railroad that visitors to the festival will have the chance to ride on. Admission into the event gives you unlimited rides on one of many different trains. As many as 7 trains will be hauling passengers at one time. Don’t miss taking a ride on one of these 1/8th scale trains. Fun for the whole family!

HUGE Model train layouts will be running hundreds of trains each day. One of the largest layouts will be an O-gauge modular layout brought to TrainFestival 2009 from the Chicago area. The layout is owned by members of the Independent Hirailers Midwest Division and travels around the midwest. This O-gauge modular layout is highly detailed and covers nearly 3000 square feet of space. Children of all ages will enjoy this HUGE model train display.

LEGO’s have been around for years and have been enjoyed by children of all ages. When visiting TrainFestival 2009 you will see one of the best all-LEGO constructed train layouts in North America. The Michigan LEGO Train Club [www.michlug.org] will have a large modular layout for all to see. Come see awesome model train layout. Your kids will be talking about this for years!

HO trains are among the most popular sizes of model trains in the United States. The Rails on Wheels [www.railsonwheels.com] group will be displaying and operating their large HO modular train layout for everyone to see. They will be running hundreds of trains around the highly detailed layout. You are encouraged to chat with the model railroads and tell stories of your first train!

Model Trains that run on Steam??? The Michigan Small Scale Live Steamers [www.mssls.info] will be setting up a large G-scale train layout and will be operating model trains on steam! These locomotives burn butane gas and boil water to create steam like the big trains. These locomotives and trains are extremely unique and must be experienced to really enjoy. Toot! Toot!

There will be many things for children of all ages to do at TrainFestival 2009. Little Obie will be giving chidren of ages rides around the event.

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Event Attractions - 8 Operating Steam Locomotives, Huge Model Trains, Miniature Railroad and More

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