Pere Marquette 1225 ruled out for rest of 2024 NPE season

[David Collins]

This is a bummer. Thankfully the rest of the NPE runs aren’t cancelled. I’m wondering maybe if GLC 329 ends up on the remainder of the runs, it’d be pretty neat.

[Robertrains]

This is a bummer. Thankfully the rest of the NPE runs aren’t cancelled. I’m wondering maybe if GLC 329 ends up on the remainder of the runs, it’d be pretty neat.

David Collins! Though a "Bummer" it is cool to see this train with different motive power! Man, the 20th Anniversary of "The Polar Express™" and without the 1225! That's alright! I actually like diesels better! I photographed "The Polar Express™" train with 1225 six times between 2004 and 2021! I got the cool Precision Leasing® diesels in 2022 (an SD40 in WM 7471 paint)! I also captured 1225 on five other trips during Spring and Summer between 1999 and 2016! I am satisfied for a while! Now, hopefully this Sunday, December 1st, will use GLC 329 SD40M-2 "Tribute to Louis P. Ferris Jr." I only captured this engine in old CEFX paint! Does anyone know if this engine will be on the train Sunday December 1st?

[chapmaja]

What power do they have at the SRI? I know they still have the leased unit, but don't they also have a former Consumers Energy unit now? Wouldn't they use their power instead of the GLC's power if possible?

[David Collins]

What power do they have at the SRI? I know they still have the leased unit, but don't they also have a former Consumers Energy unit now? Wouldn't they use their power instead of the GLC's power if possible?

They got the leased GP40 widecab, but GLC 329 led the train when 1225 was sidelined last weekend. I’m just speculating about that.

I’m wondering as well if they’ll use the consumers locomotive. I know it’s operational since they used it last summer for crew qualification runs to Cadillac and back.

[Erroneous Monk]

I’m wondering as well if they’ll use the consumers locomotive. I know it’s operational since they used it last summer for crew qualification runs to Cadillac and back.

GLC ran it up to Middleton with 35 grainers two weeks ago

[SD80MAC]

The SW1200 they got from Consumer's is indeed operational, but asking it to pull that big train might be asking a bit too much! No ditch lights either, IIRC.

[David Collins]

The SW1200 they got from Consumer's is indeed operational, but asking it to pull that big train might be asking a bit too much! No ditch lights either, IIRC.

If only they still had a certain GT painted GP9 that now belongs to namesake shortline in Western Michigan

[Erroneous Monk]

Currently building the Polar Express with the switcher on the head end

[NS3322]

Currently building the Polar Express with the switcher on the head end

Looks like they ran with 1155 and 57.

[David Collins]

Where is everyone?? Not a single soul at Carland or Bannister tonight per a report in the field

[Robertrains]

Well shucks if the switcher was used for the whole trip! I'd rather see GLC 329 SD40M-2 "Tribute to Louis P. Ferris Jr." pulling this train! Maybe no one cares about ex Consumers Energy® SW1200 #1155!!!! Well, it is different than usual! Is it worth catching? Are plans to keep this engine for the rest of the runs? Maybe it will look better with a "Big Honking" wreath in a few weeks! Precision Leasing® GP40WH-2 #57 is awesome! S.R.I. is still leasing it for use with H.E.P.

[Steve B]

Where is everyone?? Not a single soul at Carland or Bannister tonight per a report in the field

Staying home! Few will bother to sit in the cold waiting when the 1225 isn't there.

[BnOEngr]

1) Looks like ditch lights on the 1155
2) 2 engineers, operating the locomotives on each end will be plenty of power.

[Robertrains]

1) Looks like ditch lights on the 1155
2) 2 engineers, operating the locomotives on each end will be plenty of power.

S.R.I. used 1155 on an October trip! I think the Ditchlights were already installed then. It would be great if GLC 329 SD40M-2 "Tribute to Louis P. Ferris Jr." pulled this train again! Why did they use it last weekend? Will it come back? I am guessing it won't! Is this train still worth catching? Probably so. The rear loco, ex MARC Precision Leasing® GP40WH-2 #57, is a nice engine. In 2022, with "Railfan" Gary Sample, I got bad Medium Format "Time Exposures" of PNLX 57 stopped at Ashley at night! "Fumbling!!!!" My daytime 35mm pix from 2022 of 57 are nice however! I got excellent day and night pix of PNLX (WM) 7471 though!!!!!! This year I plan to go with "Railfan" Gary Sample and get this train! Now I will concentrate on capturing "Night Shots" well of 57 this time!!!! Yes, I followed the 2004 Polar Express train with my late Dad (RCJ I) between Owosso and "Santa's Village" in Chesaning! The 20th Anniversary but without 1225 on this train!!!!

[SD80MAC]

1) Looks like ditch lights on the 1155
2) 2 engineers, operating the locomotives on each end will be plenty of power.

So it seems!

[CAT345C]

I heard GLLX was sending the 1512 over to help pull the train north. A year of switchers saving the Polar Express!!!

[dalek ling]

Wonder if they will paint 1155 into some scheme (either Pere Marquette RR or even Ann Arbor RR) the backshop has been busy lately with painting coaches including one of the Budd cars, I like 1155 (even if I wish a more “grander” engine pulled it) but that yellow looks wonky, unless they paint it in the corporate scheme of SRI. Just foarmer talk

[Robertrains]

I heard GLLX was sending the 1512 over to help pull the train north. A year of switchers saving the Polar Express!!!

Well that would be cool! This is ex MAL/COE and GTW!!!!! Is this confirmed? If so, when will this happen? Would there be two switchers on the north end now? That would be cool!!!!

[LansingRailFan]

I’m wondering as well if they’ll use the consumers locomotive. I know it’s operational since they used it last summer for crew qualification runs to Cadillac and back.

GLC ran it up to Middleton with 35 grainers two weeks ago

Oakley and the cars were empty.

[MQT1223]

I’m wondering as well if they’ll use the consumers locomotive. I know it’s operational since they used it last summer for crew qualification runs to Cadillac and back.

GLC ran it up to Middleton with 35 grainers two weeks ago

Oakley and the cars were empty.

Why did this pull freight to Oakley? Was GLC in a pinch?