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I wrote earlier about the 100th birthday celebration for Little River #110 (http://yardgoatimages.com/birthday-bash-for-little-river-110). Now that the event is behind us, it might be good to tell you about it.

Being at the Little River Railroad Birthday Celebration

Of course I was there with our video cameras to record this one-time event that took place over three days between Coldwater and Hillsdale, MI. Little River Railroad normally operates between Coldwater and Quincy, but for this special occasion #110 pulled longer trips all the way to Hillsdale.

Besides #110, there were four other steam locomotives in operation, all tank engines. These included Little River #1, Viscose Company #6, Flagg Coal #75, and Lehigh Valley Coal #126. This was the first time #126 operated in revenue service since being rescued and restored by Gramling Locomotive.

The first two days had identical schedules, with four round-trips between Coldwater and Quincy, and one round trip Coldwater-Hillsdale. The tank engines took turns powering  the Quincy trips. It was quite a scene at the Coldwater depot each morning as engines arrived from the shops located near the edge of town. Passenger cars were switched and deposited at the station platform for the first three trips, leaving at 15 minute intervals! Train watchers had a good vantage point at Quincy too, as the Hillsdale train passed through while the “local” was on the siding.

On the third day, there were just two Quincy trips, but the slim schedule was compensated by the sight, sound and smoke of FIVE steam locomotives leading the long train, which included the entire car fleet! The two trips were spectacular with a solid block of five black coal fired locomotives giving there all with tremendous plumes of smoke, and lots of steam whistles.

Each day, there was an afternoon singing of Happy Birthday and five “cakes” made from log circles and butter-creme icing. A cake was delivered to the crew of each locomotive, where it was promptly tossed into the firebox!

Some of my favorite moments were not available to the general public. I made it a point to be at the shop building well before the engines departed so I could record the early morning activities as the crews prepared for the day. The low sun angles lit the glorious scene of locomotives, smoke, and steam. 

I really appreciate having been a part of this and I’m grateful to Travis Bloom and all of the Little River Railroad volunteers who made everything work in spite of the uncomfortable heat and humidity. The owners and crews of the visiting locomotives deserve big thanks as well. 

Our program about this amazing event is finished! You can see it all on the Steamin' Summer Volume 1 DVD.

Thanks, Steve Mitchell, Yard Goat Images

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While attending Train Festival 2011 at Rock Island, IL, I was in the yard getting video footage of NKP 765 as she simmered in the July heat. Since they were waiting in the yard, the crew beckoned a young lad to come up and see what the cab looked like. As he sat in the fireman’s seat, I grabbed my camera and took a few photos. He was trying with all his might to pull the whistle cord, but alas he was just too small to make more than a light “frrrrrt” sound. 

The crew demonstrated how the whistle should sound, with a roar that could be heard for miles. The young man tried again and again, pulling with all his weight, finally getting a few passible but short toots.

The sight of this little guy reminded me of another summer day, probably in 1953 or ’54, when I was a youngster invited into the cab of a giant Great Northern steam locomotive on the siding near my home. Dad took about 4 seconds of movie film of my tiny head in the large window. I don’t remember the details too clearly as I was only 3 or 4 years old, but I do remember my excitement, and the massive size of the machine, and the steep steps to climb to enter the cab.

I hope this kid was as impressed as I was. It never went away......

Steve Mitchell

Yard Goat Images

See our programs about the Rock Island Train Festival featured on Steamin' Summer Volume 2 and Steamin' Summer Volume 3

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