2009-07-16 / News

Photos


Comparison After the steam engine train pulled into the Staples depot, BNSF police cleared the tracks as a regular BNSF train came in and stopped providing a comparative view for spectators and the crew of the new arrival as the engineer walked between the mammoth steel. (Staples World photo by Janice Winter) Comparison After the steam engine train pulled into the Staples depot, BNSF police cleared the tracks as a regular BNSF train came in and stopped providing a comparative view for spectators and the crew of the new arrival as the engineer walked between the mammoth steel. (Staples World photo by Janice Winter) Peering When you get a chance for a closeup look in your own hometown, the moment deserves scrutiny as four area youth examine the steam engine's massive wheels. On the tracks, the wheels were about six feet tall. The foursome was part of the Kittelson family group who had the pleasure of looking at the steam engine as it stopped on the tracks in Staples. (Staples World photo by Janice Winter) Peering When you get a chance for a closeup look in your own hometown, the moment deserves scrutiny as four area youth examine the steam engine's massive wheels. On the tracks, the wheels were about six feet tall. The foursome was part of the Kittelson family group who had the pleasure of looking at the steam engine as it stopped on the tracks in Staples. (Staples World photo by Janice Winter) Railfan's dream ride John Miller of Denton, Tex., rode from Portland, Ore., to Minneapolis aboard the New York Central 3 railroad car behind the Southern Pacific 4449 steam engine. The private railroad car was built in 1928 for Harold Sterling Vanderbilt, who worked as a director of the railroad founded by his family three generations previously. A typical executive car of this grand era, such cars were called "private varnish" because of their varnished woodwork and exclusive uses; they served as traveling offices and hotels, and were used for railroad inspections as well as for personal travel and for business entertainment. Adlai Stevenson campaigned on NYC 3 in his 1956 campaign against President Eisenhower. The car is now operated in private charter service. (Staples World photo by Brenda Halvorson) Railfan's dream ride John Miller of Denton, Tex., rode from Portland, Ore., to Minneapolis aboard the New York Central 3 railroad car behind the Southern Pacific 4449 steam engine. The private railroad car was built in 1928 for Harold Sterling Vanderbilt, who worked as a director of the railroad founded by his family three generations previously. A typical executive car of this grand era, such cars were called "private varnish" because of their varnished woodwork and exclusive uses; they served as traveling offices and hotels, and were used for railroad inspections as well as for personal travel and for business entertainment. Adlai Stevenson campaigned on NYC 3 in his 1956 campaign against President Eisenhower. The car is now operated in private charter service. (Staples World photo by Brenda Halvorson) Double check Steam billowed up to the SP 449's egineer's window as he continued to check on the service stop's progress. The train made the service stop July 9 in Staples on the way to Minneapolis during its Eastbound Excursion run. (Staples World photo by Janice Winter) Double check Steam billowed up to the SP 449's egineer's window as he continued to check on the service stop's progress. The train made the service stop July 9 in Staples on the way to Minneapolis during its Eastbound Excursion run. (Staples World photo by Janice Winter) Time to move on With a hearty blow of the whistle and a build up of steam, the SP 4449 prepared to pull away from the Staples depot following its service stop while those lucky enough to be clued in just that morning scrambled for more pictures, unwilling to see it leave. (Staples World photo by Janice Winter) Time to move on With a hearty blow of the whistle and a build up of steam, the SP 4449 prepared to pull away from the Staples depot following its service stop while those lucky enough to be clued in just that morning scrambled for more pictures, unwilling to see it leave. (Staples World photo by Janice Winter) Reflections of bygone era The Staples Depot can be seen reflected in the smooth silver side of one of the railway cars that were being pulled by the Southern Pacific "Daylight" No. 4449 steam engine as it passed through Staples Thursday, July 9. The engine was on its way from its home in Portland, Ore., to a train festival in Owosso, Mich. The festival teamed up with the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners (AAPRCO) to offer luxury seating and overnight packages and these are some of the cars. (Staples World photo by Brenda Halvorson) Reflections of bygone era The Staples Depot can be seen reflected in the smooth silver side of one of the railway cars that were being pulled by the Southern Pacific "Daylight" No. 4449 steam engine as it passed through Staples Thursday, July 9. The engine was on its way from its home in Portland, Ore., to a train festival in Owosso, Mich. The festival teamed up with the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners (AAPRCO) to offer luxury seating and overnight packages and these are some of the cars. (Staples World photo by Brenda Halvorson) Next stop, Minneapolis Spectators and passengers waved farewell to each other as the Southern Pacific "Daylight" No. 4449 pulled away from the Staples Depot July 9 after a brief stop for servicing. Passengers could purchase tickets for the whole trip from Portland, Ore., to Owosso, Mich., or for specific segments. Options included restored vintage railroad cars and Silver Fleet lounge and vista-dome cars. A return trip is planned from Minneapolis to Portland, Ore., October 13-20. For more information or to purchase a ticket see www.trainfestival2009.com Next stop, Minneapolis Spectators and passengers waved farewell to each other as the Southern Pacific "Daylight" No. 4449 pulled away from the Staples Depot July 9 after a brief stop for servicing. Passengers could purchase tickets for the whole trip from Portland, Ore., to Owosso, Mich., or for specific segments. Options included restored vintage railroad cars and Silver Fleet lounge and vista-dome cars. A return trip is planned from Minneapolis to Portland, Ore., October 13-20. For more information or to purchase a ticket see www.trainfestival2009.com

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