March 15, 2014 - LCCA Special Event Aboard Pere Marquette 1225 Steam Train This is a friendly reminder that now is the time to make your reservation for the upcoming special steam train excursion headed up by the Pere Marquette No 1225 Steam Locomotive engine on Saturday, March 15, 2014. The LCCA is offering seats aboard the LCCA’s reserved passenger cars as part of 'Railyard Productions’ “1225 Return to Rails Excursion” round trip inaugural run from Owosso MI to Clare MI. We will like our members to make their reservations prior to 12-1-13. The Pere Marquette No. 1225, operated by the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, will power this “Return to Rail" excursion. The locomotive is currently undergoing a federally mandated 1,472-day inspection, but is scheduled to make its inaugural run from Owasso to Clare MI on Saturday, March 15, 2014. The train will depart Owosso MI at 9 a.m. and arrive at Clare MI at 11:30 a.m. Riders will have a 3-hour layover in Clare to partake in the Clare Irish Festival, which will coincide with our excursion. The train will depart Clare at 2:30 p.m., running backwards to Alma, where it will be turned for a 6 p.m. arrival in Owosso. Lima Locomotive Works built No. 1225 in October 1941 for the Pere Marquette. In 1957, officials at Michigan State University, seeking an outdoor monument to commemorate the steam-era, saved the locomotive from a scrap yard. In 1969, university students set out to restore the locomotive, but were unable to complete the project. In 1983, No. 1225 was moved to Owosso and restoration resumed. The locomotive returned to excursion duty in 1988. This train was used for the animation modeling for the popular Castle Rock Entertainment animated production feature film “The Polar Express ” featuring the voice of Tom Hanks. LCCA member tickets are $144.00 per person for coach seats and will include two photo shoot run-bys and a special limited edition LCCA billboard frame and special insert to commemorate this inaugural run. LCCA members need to register and pay for this event by going to our website registration page www.lionelcollectors.org. Space is limited, so make your reservations prior to 12-1-13. For more information about the No. 1225, visit michigansteamtrain.com. We are currently investigating overnight hotel group accommodations and possible activities for Sunday, March 16. Additional information will follow. If you like steam trains, you will not want to miss out on this tremendous opportunity to share this experience with other LCCA members aboard the inaugural run of the Pere Marquette 1225’s run from Owosso to Clare Mi. We hope you can be there to enjoy and have FUN! Best regards, Al Kolis President Elect & Special Events Manager Lionel Collectors Club of America 248 709-4137
