If you enjoy steam locomotives, head for Coldwater, Michigan! The Little River Railroad will be celebrating the 100th birthday for one of their two steam engines on July 15, 16, and 17, 2011.
About Little River #110
Little River #110 is a handsome 4-6-2 built by Baldwin in 1911 for the original Little River Railroad in Townsend, Tennessee where it served in the logging industry. It was custom built to handle the tight curves commonly found in logging operations, including a “blind” middle drive wheel. This wheel does not have a flange, which allows the engine to negotiate difficult track curvature. It is also unique in being the smallest 4-6-2 built for standard gauge track.
A birthday party is no good without friends. Four steam locomotives will help Little River #110 celebrate, including “sister” #1, a tank engine which has been on the Little River property since 2004. Out of town friends include three more tank engines, Viscose #6, Flagg Coal #75, and making it’s first trip following restoration, Lehigh Valley Coal #126.
All five engines will be steaming, and many short and long rides are scheduled during the three day celebration. If you want to see something that may never happen again, on Sunday July 15th the railroad is advertising a quintuple-header.
This little railroad is a gem, with lots of good photo possibilities. The railroad is all volunteer with the mission to keep steam alive for future generations. Coldwater is located in southern Michigan near the tops of Illinois and Indiana.
More information about the celebration can be found at the Little River Railroad website http://www.littleriverrailroad.com/
By the way, they are looking for extra volunteers to help in many areas during the event.
For those of you who would need to travel a long distance, make your trip even more worthwhile by heading to Rock Island, Illinois, where Train Festival 2011 starts on July 21.
Be sure to read my blog recapping the celebration here!
Thanks, Steve Mitchell, Yard Goat Images
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