British A1 Tornado to Attend TrainFestival 2009 in Michigan!

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:21 am

(April 1, 2009 – Owosso, MI) The “World’s Newest Steam Locomotive” will travel from it’s home in Great Britain 5000 miles to Owosso, MI for America’s Largest Celebration of Railroading in July. A1 Pacific no. 60163 "Tornado" will appear at TrainFestival 2009 in Owosso, MI July 23-26. The massive undertaking to organize this train is being jointly coordinated by The Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso, MI, The A1 Tornado Project, Virgin Atlantic, Peter Waterman Ltd., and The Friends of the 261 of Minneapolis, MN.

TrainFestival 2009 is America’s Largest Celebration of Railroading and will include 9 steam locomotives under steam, vintage and modern diesel/electric locomotives, various train rides, huge model train layouts, miniature train rides, art exhibit, locomotive cab tours, railroad vendors and much more. This family event is being held as a fund raiser to keep operating Pere Marquette steam locomotive no. 1225. This locomotive owned by the Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso, MI is due for Federal Railroad Administration re-certification in 2010. This locomotive is best known as the steam locomotive portrayed in the animated movie “The Polar Express”.

The A1 "Tornado" will travel across country on an Amtrak sponsored trip hauling thousands of passengers on this rare excursion. The locomotive and train will travel through many cities along the way including Baltimore (its unloading point), Cumberland, Pittsburgh. Cleveland, and Detroit. A special excursion will be operated on July 24 originating from TrainFestival 2009, tickets are available online. The locomotive will be on display during the event for visitors to photograph, visit with the crew as well as explore the cab. Operation of the A1 over several American lines during its return run, including on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, is being negotiated at this time.

For more information, check the website http://www.trainfestival2009.com/April1st

David H. Hamley · **Joined:** Tue Aug 24, 2004 3:07 pm **Posts:** 705

And what is today's date?

Hmmmmmm.

joneau261 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:20 am **Posts:** 26

Could anyone NOT see this one coming? :-P

- Jonathan

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:29 am

Scotch git!
And here I thought they were going to seal it up in an abandoned tunnel as a time capsule!

Hogger1225 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:51 am

Heard it was coming over on the SS Norway.

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:43 pm

OK, this is the best one so far :)

Howard P. · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:47 pm

Someone told me it was coming on one of those big Russian jet transports. Hope they don't decide to try an air drop....

Howard P.
Dosvadanya, CT

Heavenrich · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:07 am **Posts:** 630

What scale -- maybe they don't need a plane that big... particularly if it's half o scale as in HO HO HO.

Bob H