Fall Into the Past

Sept. 23, 2016

ON THE SRI’S VINTAGE COLOR TOUR TRAINS

The first steam locomotive is thought to have gone into operation in 1804, a new travel innovation for the time that produced its power via a steam engine, which was in turn fueled by burning combustibles (usually coal, wood, or oil.) By the 1950s, steam power had been phased out of American railroads, overtaken by diesel engines, but the travel experience remained much the same: conductors shouted out last call for boarding as couples embraced one last time, the doors of the train cars clicked shut as people settled in for their journey, and smoke billowed out of the train’s stack and rose to the sky as the train slowly chugged off toward the horizon.

TWO VIEWS

So what was it like to take a trip in one of these vintage locomotives? You can find out this fall, via one of the tourist trains operated in Michigan by the Steam Railroading Institute, an Owosso organization dedicated to these historical transport vehicles. “SRI’s mission is to preserve the knowledge, skills, and technology involved with the maintenance and operation of steam locomotives,” said Kim Springsdorf, who works with the institute. The SRI is hosting a series of color tour train trips that will offer a dual experience: travel on a vintage train — a unique experience all its own — and some of the most gorgeous fall views in all of Michigan.

RIDE THE RAILS

“The SRI-hosted color tours will be pulled by diesel locomotives that are owned by Great Lakes Central,” Springsdorf said. “The vintage passenger cars are part of the rolling stock owned by Steam Railroading Institute, while the tracks that we travel on are also owned by Great Lakes Central and remain in operation today with the hauling of freight.” While major passenger railways like Amtrak only travel as far north as Grand Rapids/Port Huron these days, there are still several rail lines across Michigan that are used for freight and tourism operations.

AUTUMN EXCURSIONS

On Oct. 1, SRI passengers embarking from downtown Petoskey at 10am will travel to Fife Lake, arriving at around 1pm to take in a host of local activities. “Once you arrive in Fife Lake, we invite you to take in the beautiful countryside and enjoy pontoon or kayak tours of the lake, fishing, a live band downtown, the historical museum, a historic walk, hiking, tennis, and disc golf, and a scavenger hunt,” Springsdorf said. “Food vendors will be downtown in the park as well as at the farm ers market, and we’ll also have boat rides and kayak use by donation.”

A similar excursion will take place on Oct. 8, departing from Cadillac at 10am to arrive in Mancelona’s Railroad Park at 12:30pm, with passengers invited to take place in the city’s Mancelona Days, which will offer entertainment, a flea market, food vendors, a beverage tent, and more.

A third trek will take passengers from Mt. Pleasant to Cadillac on Oct. 15. Additional, shorter jaunts called the Countryside Tours — specific to just viewing the fall colors — will depart from each location as well. “On those, passengers will enjoy a leisurely train ride lasting approximately one hour,” Springsdorf said.

TIME TRAVEL

Common to all of these SRI train excursions is the overall experience of riding in a vintage transport vehicle, which Springsdorf likens to going back in time. “Our train car hosts are dressed in uniforms, and several of our gentleman hosts are all decked out in their conductor uniforms,” she sald. “Seating is very comfortable, and guests have access to a merchandise car and a food and beverage car.”

There also will be live entertainment on board to further enhance the views out of the train car windows. One thing guests are always amazed to know, Springsdorf added, is that most of the people they see working on the train are volunteers. “Our world would not exist without our volunteers,” she said.

TRAIN ADMIRATION

After the fall color season is over for the trains, the Steam Railroading Institute will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Pere Marquette 1225 train on Nov. 5 with a three-hour excursion departing directly from the institute in Owosso and traveling to Clare, Mich.

On November 18, the yearly launch of the Polar Express train (“the real Polar Express,” Springsdorf said) kicks off. This full schedule offers train aficionados plenty of opportunities to ride. The packed seasonal schedule suits Springsdorf, who’s happiest when the SRI is busy.

“I was born and raised in the train world,” she said, “so I love to stop in the vestibules and watch the world go by as we get to travel in areas that no one ever sees. I love the atmosphere and the stories of past memories or of the love of trains. That is always my favorite part. Everything we do is in an effort to keep history alive.”

For more information about the SRI (Steam Railroading Institute), its train excursions, and where to buy tickets, visit michigansteamtrain. com or call (989)-399-7589.