From all of us who worked for many months, and were members of the Railroad Weekend Committee of the 125th Electric Light Celebration in Port Huron, I want to thank Dennis, Bill, Kevin, Chris, the Gramblings, and everyone else associated with the Steam Railroading Institute and Flagg Coal Company #75 for a wonderful operation this past weekend here in Port Huron. Although the weather could have been a bit better here on Lake Huron (didn't need a blower, north wind did it for us Friday!) , the event without a hitch, and ended one of the more incredible weeks in Port Huron's history. Kudos too to the guys from the Ohio Central Steam program and the Huckleberry Railroad who came up/ over to give us a hand (you know who you are), continuing to show that different steam/ preservation groups can work together, and do so well.
In addition, I'd like to thank Tim and Mike Burgess of Raymond Excavating/ Burgess Contracting, who supplied the trucking from here to Owosso; Morris and everone at the Bluewater Bridge Authority, who graciously let us operate a live steam engine underneath one of the busiest Canada/ US border Crossing; Dunn Paper Company, who kindly allowed us to operate on Thursday and Friday in risk of them not getting their daily needed shipment; all levels of the City of Port Huron and the Cunty of St. Clair, who came through in multiples ways --- from Engineering to the Polica and fire Departments; and most of all (and yes, I'm not kidding) Canadian National, who allowed us to operate on their railroad, including all the local guys who helped make it happen. It may have not been the Toronto-Chicago Mainline, but it was still a step.
For those that don't know, this was first steam operation in Port Huron since a layover by #6218 in 1972. To say that I and most people living here in Port Huron figured that we never would see steam here again is an understatement. Thanks to all for help us proving we could do it.

I learned some valuable things this weekend:

1.) Dreams involving steam operation can come true, even in a world run by insurance
2.) That multiple organizations and mulitple levels of government can work together, and even do so well.
3.) Steam can move on a class one railroad, given time and resources
4.) That you don't need a Berk or a Northern --- people will come for an 0-4-0, too.
5.) That it is absolutely amazing what can get done when people and organizations put their egos aside and work together to get something done.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was a most memorable experience. You'll never know how cool it is to see and hear and 0-4-0 saddletanker give and recieve a "master's salute" to a passing 1000-foot freighter. Boatnerds and railfans/ foamers unite!

Sincerely,

T.J. Gaffney
Chairman of Railroad Weekend Committee of 125th Anniversary of Electric Light Celebration/
Curator of Collections
Port Huron Museum

We saw the #75 at Train Fest. Looked great, just needed some place to run. Have been at Huckelberry, always a good time.

Just curious if such of this 0-4-0T might warrant purchase of a used trailer to carry it to such events? It would seem it might attend numerous other events and make a little revenue for the group, but would owning a trailer (which could be used to haul other items as well) be cost effective or not?

TJ, Me and my wife made it up to the Depot on Sunday afternoon. We ended up unintenionally meeting up with a couple of guys from the MI RRs boards up there. The all-out hold-on-to-your-hats full-bore runs were just awesome and I have many photos, both color and black and white to back up that claim!!

I also agree with you 100% about the steamer/steamboat whistle salute! There aren't too many places that can boast the ability to have that occurance, and especially with a steam locomotive!! I was there for three: David Z. Norton, CSL Laurentien & Capt. Henry Jackman. I can't remember which one exactly (either the Jackman or Laurentien) had one of those AWESOME low-toned belly rumblers that just made my day. Makes me wish I had brought the video camera as well as my film cameras.

I congratulate you and eveyone else involved in your efforts, and commend you for a job well done! Steam in Port Huron was a beautiful thing! Thank you!

I too saw the 75 down in Dennison. I think she looked better in Port Huron... then again, I'm a little bit biased. ;^)

Dave J

I think the answer is "probably not". When my uncle got out of the heavy haulage business, he kept one Western Star and one King lowboy to transport his collection of steam tractors and gas tractors to events. He did this until roughly 1985 when he figured out that the price of insurance for the year exceeded the price of paying someone else to haul it for him, and he didn't even have to maintain it. We all know where insurance rates have gone since 1985?

A couple of thoughts about #75 in Port Huron.
First I would like to thank TJ for a VERY nice weekend. He did one heck of a job getting everything set up. It shows that groups can work together for a great end result. If 1225 had been there it would have been better yet but some things are just not possible. #75 is not as impressive but it still goes "Chug Chug and Toot Toot". The cost and ease of transporting it by truck makes it possible to have it at events where it would be impossible to have a larger engine. We hope to have a trailer set up for this use, and hire the tractor. It is very rewarding to see and talk to the kids that can get in the cab, blow the whistle, ring the bell and maybe go for a ride. At Port Huron the kids ranged in age from 2 years to 92. Again thank you to all of those involved at Port Huron.

John Gramling

Thanks to all for the wonderful comments. The freighter with great tone was the Jackman --- it belies her age. The one that got me was the tone of the largest ship on the Great Lakes, the Paul R. Tregurtha, a 1000-behemoth. When it let off, the ground shook underneath the cab of the loco, and reverberated off the sides.

Beyond cool.

The real person to thank is John Gramling. Without his hard work and effort, that loco would still be sitting in New York, rotting away. A small engine, yes, but with an owner/owners with a big heart and a great ability to do good for the hobby/ profession. Thanks for breaking a 32-year draught of steam in our fair community.

TJ

Man, what an incredible weekend! TJ, his museum, and the 1225 group are to be commended for putting on such a great show. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and hope that it will happen again in the near future. It was great to be able to meet guys from both the SRI and the Huckleberry. The Huckleberry contingent was nice enough to invite me out to their railroad on Sunday, and what a treat that was! I had planned on staying just long enough to ride the train, and ended up prying myself away after spending five hours there. It is truly a top-notch, professional operation, from the immaculate equipment to the freshly lined and surfaced track. I highly recommend that you check it out. You WILL be impressed! Thanks again to everyone that made this two engine weekend possible, and keep up the good work!
Chris Zahrt