Working is progressing very well now in Owosso, Mi as everyone is getting ready for TrainFestival 2009. With the 765 already committed along with the 1225 (2 Lima 2-8-4 Berkshires together) and the addition this week of Flagg Coal 0-4-0 #75 and ex-Southern FP-7 6133 from the North Carolina Transportation Museum, attractions are moving along nicely. Several other pieces of equipment(steam and diesel) are in the final stages of contracts and will be announced soon. Stayed tuned!

The property has received two new switches with another coming in the spring and an additional 1500' of track for more exhibits. The miniature 1/8 scale live steam track is being built offsite and will be installed when the weather breaks this spring. The miniature train track will be over 4000' in length when complete. It will be a huge hit with the kids! (and dads)

Tickets sales are extremely strong and are picking up each day. Many of the trips including the all-day excursions behind the 1225 and 765 will be sold out well in advance of the event. All tickets purchased before Feb. 1 will receive a 10% discount. Get yours today and save some cash.

You can read more about what is going on by going to the website http://www.trainfestival2009.com and clicking on the blog.

Hope to see everyone in July!
Jason Johnson

Thanks for the update Jason! I can only cross my fingers in hopes of a Ohio Central steam engine present in Owosso this July. Regardless, I'm looking forward to going up and having a great time.

Jason;

I was looking through the website for the event and I have a couple of questions.

First, are you going to offer a pass for all three days like Dennison did for TrainFest '04?

Second, how far is it by rail from Owosso to Alma? I was looking at it on Mapquest and it looks like it's only about 30 miles or so driving it. I'm wondering how it becomes an all day trip for the Berks? Are they planning on doing 5 or 6 double runbys (which would be great for the photographers, but not so much for the average passenger)?

Just made my motel reservations. Looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. See many of you there.

Google Maps has a driving distance of about 50 miles between Owosso and Alma.

HI,
I understand that you do not want to release any information until everything is set in stone but do you have any info at all on the "Run A Steam Locomotive" portion of the event? This is my major excuse to go. Any info on length of session, what will be involved, or cost would be great.
thanks,
Matt

Thanks for all the inquiries on Trainfestival 2009, and for understanding that we can only announce what is "coming" when it is set in stone, for obvious reasons. That said:

The Hand on the Throttle aspect will most likely involve one of the Tank engines at this point. #765 and #1225 will have cab tours at different times, as most likely will one or more of the diesels, like 2004. This may change with time, but as it currently stands, that is the case. We are very close to nailing down another tank engine for the event, allowing us to have inside the park cabooses rides AND Hand on the Throttle with the Tank Engines. Again, until this is finalized, I cannot state officially which of these engines it will be, although the Hand on the Throttle tank may well be Gramling's #75, given their experience with this in the past. A plug for the Gramling's here --- they will be traveling the #75 through much of the Southeast over the next couple of months, so be sure to come out and say hi --- I believe they will be in Florida in the next week or so.

Also --- remember that much of this equipment will be arriving by rail, and to do so, it will pass that grand old station in Durand ---- opportunities for getting shots of historic equipment crossing the diamond will be there for up to a week or maybe two weeks before the event.

Sincerely,

TJG
ED
SRI

Also, runbys will be provided at different points, yes, but that it takes time to wye the train and there is a layover in Alma itself.

TJG

This is all very good news. Please keep us all posted.

Also curious, there are night photo sessions advertised on the website, when will tickets for those become available?

Talks are still in the works for the night session, partially because we are still determining the final "models" as it were. We will be posting to the site as soon as the final details and tickets become available.

Sincerely,

TJ Gaffney
SRI