Owosso, Mi- (8/8/08) – Coming July 24-26, 2009, the sounds of steam whistles, the clickety-clack of steel wheels on rails, the smell of coal smoke and excitement of children of all ages will take over the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan. This quaint American Town is located in the central region of Michigan just outside of Lansing. All the charm of Owosso will welcome tens of thousands of visitors from all over North America and other regions of the world to TrainFestival 2009. The theme of the weekend will be Trains, Trains, Trains!

The Steam Railroading Institute has an award winning collection of railroad equipment and railroad artifacts. The museum is an interpretive experience for visitors of all ages. During the weekend of July 24-26, 2009, visitors to the museum will experience an even greater museum. Steam and Diesel Locomotives from around the country will be on display for visitors to tour the cabs, take photos, watch demonstrations and much more. Huge model train layouts will be on display including a massive all-Lego model train.

Railroad vendors from around the globe will have unique items for purchase that you won’t find anywhere else. Families will be able to take an all day excursion or shorter one-hour train ride behind various vintage locomotives. For the thrill seeking visitor, you will even be able to pull the throttle and blow the whistle on one of these steam locomotives. Scaled down miniature trains will be hauling passengers around the grounds of the event as well.

TrainFestival 2009 will allow visitors of all ages to experience railroading at its best. With an expected attendance of 30,000+ for the three day festival, the Steam Railroading Institute will be buzzing with railroad excitement.

Guest Railroad equipment is currently being arranged. As soon as a final list of equipment attending the event and a schedule is finalized, it will be posted on the event website at http://www.trainfestival2009.com. The website will be interactive including a web blog, forums, videos and much more.

For more information contact:
Steam Railroading Institute
P.O. Box 665
Owosso, MI 48867
Phone: (989) 725-9464
SRI Website: http://www.michigansteamtrain.com
TrainFestival 2009 Website: http://www.trainfestival2009.com

Sounds awseome. Any chance of a certain berk or northern heading that way????

Yay!!! Bradford notified me today of this. But I only faintly remembered the details he told me till I read this. ( I am all drugged up do to a very nasty chest infection, and for some reason thought he said it was gonna be in ohio. )

This sounds like the five year reunion of Trainfest 2004 in Dennison, Ohio!! I look forward to more details. This has the groundwork to be a great event if the economy picks up from its present level!!! Best of luck with this venture!!!

Looks like a good event, I will keep an eye on the site. Hey maybe invite one of the Cass Railroad shay's, if they leave now they may be able to make it. ;)

We have quite a bit of exciting attractions planned. We will be making announcements soon of some additional equipment that will be making an appearance. Railfans will not be disappointed. (There are some hints on the website)

Mark your calendars now, because you will not want to miss this show.

Jason Johnson
Chairman, TrainFestival 2009
http://www.trainfestival2009.com

I think there is potential for to be even more, Ron!

The hearts and minds behind this event belong to solid young guys with big plans and bigger dreams and they don't mess around. It's pretty stellar to see such a convergence of talent work towards the greater good.

Pretty certain we can arrange to bring a friend of ours. Know a hotel with room enough for 400 tons, TJ?

Holler if you need a conductor who can cook ...

Steve -

Your welcome up here anytime bud. Caboose cookery abounds --- will have to introduce you to Fred.

As far as the five year reunion/ celebration ---- there is a reason Johnson is in charge here. Anyone who was involved in '04 knows he was the brains behind an event that brought 27,000 people to East Central Ohio, and odds favor you when you go with a previous winner.

Kelly --- you got your work cut out for you, but we always have room for fellow Lima Superpower.

Ron --- Were all mindful of the economy, and realize that a lot of things have changed in five years. That said, a good event is a good event, and poor economy or not, people will come for quality; and thats what were striving for.

No need for introductions, T.J. Steve and I worked together during the last photo charter. He's missing his calling, I think. He should be on the cooking channel with his own show - "Caboose cookery 101", or something.

That gives me an idea. How about we have a special event during Trainfest 2009 where trainmen demonstrate the skills that used to be necessary to feed a crew. We have three cabeese and 4 or 5 extra stoves. Contestants could set up in the yard and see who could come up with the best meal. Rules would be they had to use whatever they could catch, steal or clunk on the head between the river and yard limits.

Fred

Officially the new website has been up for 1 week and we have had nearly 12,000 unique visitors to the site and more than 60,000 hits. This is a wonderful sign that everyone is ready for this great event.

We added an email list to the site today. Please sign up to that list. Those who sign up will receive the latest information first plus discounts on tickets, hotels and much more. All email addresses are used for TrainFestival use only and will not be sold or given to any other organization. This is a great way to comunicate with our friends and supporters.

Look for some exciting announcements here in the next month or so. We some big plans we are currently working on as well as some world class sponsors. It should be a great time. Mark your calendars now.

Jason Johnson
Chairman - TrainFestival 2009

Go to www.trainfestival2009.com to sign up to get the latest info regarding this awesome festival of trains.