On our short ride from Owosso to Alma (about 1 1/2 hours) we were chased by dozens of train enthusiasts, who would show up at many of the crossings. But everywhere people would line up for photos and videos of the train and just to wave as we went by. On the trip back, the train stopped at a park in Ithaca. Everyone who wanted photos got out, the train backed up, and came roaring through for us to capture on video and film. They did that twice. Of course the engineer was showing off with lots of steam and that amazingly unique whistle. Then we all got back on. The volunteers are clearly having a lot of fun, as well as the regular railroad people who wandered through the cars frequently to chat and answer questions.

If you ever ride it, what I didn’t know is you want to being safety glasses. That way you can hang out the side of the train between the cars, and not get cinders in your eyes. Most of the regulars had glasses as well as video and still cameras.

If you go to the Owosso museum, they have a maintenance barn in back where they have disassembled a locomotive that they own, the Pere Marquette 1225, and are refurbishing it. The web site says this is required every 15 years. They are looking for donations to help with the cost which is over $500,000 and apparently you can also volunteer to do some of the work. It takes more than a full day to get up the steam needed to run, and once they have it the locomotive stays “on” the whole time, belching steam and cinders, a unique smell and noise. So impressive to get up close and experience the power of these things. I had a great time on Saturday. Check out the Owosso steam railroading site if you want a much closer experience of these rare trains.

The paint-covered Pullman(?) cars didn’t go North with them; I wonder if they’re a new restoration project?

Just saw it pass behind the Ann Arbor Schools bus lot about 3 minutes ago. Thought I must be hallucinating! lol