News

Catching a glimpse of history: Group of rail enthusiasts looks to recreate past using historical depot, locomotive

By CHERYLL WARREN Argus-Press Staff Writer

Monday, February 18, 2008 10:16 AM EST

Argus-Press Photo Anthony Cepak Photographers, onlookers and people dressed in period clothing wait Friday afternoon for a Historic Transport Preservation photo shoot of the Pere Marquette 1225 at the Owosso Train Depot on Washington Street.

OWOSSO - The Pere Marquette 1225 was the focus of attention this weekend as photographers from around the world arrived to capture the historic steam locomotive in action.

About 50 members of Historic Transport Preservation, an international group, gathered Friday outside Owosso Elks Lodge 753, the former Owosso Grand Trunk Railroad Depot, near the Steam Railroading Institute. Floodlights and cameras set on tripods filled one end of the parking lot in front of the depot.

As the 1225, the signature locomotive of the Steam Railroading Institute, slowly pulled into the yard beside the old depot, actors dressed in period clothing boarded, exited and posed beside the train and in the former depot yard. Every scene was captured by dozens of cameras.

The event was the result of hundreds of hours of preparation in the weeks and months prior to this weekend.

“The SRI came up with this idea, and wondered if it would be possible to have this group come here,” said Bill Coulter of the Owosso Elks.

Coulter said weeks of preparation led up to the event.

“We could fill a page with names of people who volunteered to help out,” said Frank Harvath, an Owosso resident and member of both the Elks and the SRI.

Harvath put in many of those volunteer hours himself.

“This was one of the best examples of Owosso groups working together,” said T. J. Gaffney, executive director of the SRI. “We have helped the Elks and they have helped us.”

The old depot building was repainted in colors it would have had as the Grand Trunk Depot in the mid-1900s. New signs were painted to resemble those which would have been at the depot.

“The Elks even air chiseled the ice out of the bricks,” said Gaffney. “They wanted to be sure we saw the bricks on the platform. I couldn't believe it.”

As Friday evening progressed, darkness fell on the scene. Steam and smoke from the 1225 filled the windows of the old depot where observers were straining to watch the locomotive in the yard and take a few snapshots themselves.

“We're here because we want to know what it looked like when the Pere Marquette was operating,” said James Gunning of Orlando, Fla., one of three directors of HTP. “We've attempted to create vignettes of the Pere Marquette's working days.”

Gunning said that many of the members of HTP were friends and made informal trips together to photograph steam locomotives around the country before the group formally organized a few years ago.

These days, HTP organizes up to a half-dozen special events yearly, open to the public, at historic locations around the country. HTP members plan to travel to historic railroad locations in California and Iowa later this year, and perhaps add other events before the year is out.

“I was born in 1950. This engine (Pere Marquette 1225) was retired in 1951. I didn't get to witness it first hand,” he said. “These trips are opportunities to photograph and witness what steam railroading actually looked like.”

Friday night's event at the Owosso Elks Club offered opportunities for photographers to capture actors portraying a soldier and sailor, as well as others from the community who visited in period dress, including Fayenne and Jim Storrer and Alaina Kraus, all of Owosso.

HTP members planned to spend Saturday and today in additional photo shoots in the area, with the 1225 pulling freight cars.

“This locomotive is a national treasure,” said Harvath. “We are extremely lucky to have it in town.”

For more information on Historic Transport Preservation, visit www.steamspecials.com.

Comment on this Story

Betty Craven wrote on Feb 21, 2008 2:21 PM:

" I am in Florida and wish I could have been there to see it. When I can get up there and the 1225 is being used for an event I always try to be there. Keep up the good work you railraod enthusiasts. "

Cindy Livingston wrote on Feb 19, 2008 9:36 PM:

" It was advertised at least twice that I saw in the local papers, maybe more since I don't subscribe. his is the second time the group has visited to do shots so maybe if you visit the museum they have something from last time that you could use as a gift. They had a great DVD that my 3 year old son loves to watch over and over that gives history and shows the train working during the groups last visit. Sunrises and sunsets and all.
Good luck!
Cindy "

Monica Ritchie wrote on Feb 19, 2008 10:56 AM:

" I only wish this had been publicized beforehand -- or did I miss it? My uncle, who passed away 3 years ago, helped restore the 1225 and was one of the engineers when it made it's maiden voyage to Chesaning in 1988. Pictures of it with the "passengers" in period clothing would have been a great gift for my aunt who will turn 86 next week. "

T.J. Gaffney wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:04 AM:

" Many thanks to everyone who helped us with the Photo Charter this weekend; we couldn't have done it without you. "