In a rare event and treat to former railroad workers in a former railroad town, the Southern Pacific "Daylight" No. 4449 steam engine and traveler cars stopped at the Staples Depot for a service stop Thursday, July 9. Even though there was short notice as to the timing of the stop, a crowd had gathered to witness the historical event. The train was on its way to Minneapolis and then to the 2009 Train Festival in Owosso, Mich., July 23-26. Becker Construction, working on the steeple of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, took a camera atop the Hy-Lift machine to photograph the steam engine train and passenger cars from about 126 feet high. The photo was taken looking to the southeast as the train passed the 6th St. crossing before it came to the curve. The tops of former Batcher building, lower right, and Ken's 5th St. Photos and Frames can be seen. The roof and top floor of North Portage Apparel and Embroidery is in the lower left. The train's first segment on the return trip leaves Minneapolis and runs to Fargo on October 13, but there is no word as yet about a Staples stop. The website is www.sp4449.com/ where the train can be tracked by GPS. Please see more photos on page 8 a. (Photo for the Staples World by Adam Becker)