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Archived Story
Steam locomotive to pass through Niles
Published 9:17am Friday, July 17, 2009Southern Pacific GS-4 4-8-4 No. 4449, a steam locomotive built by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio in May 1941, will be passing through Niles, Sunday, July 19, leading a passenger train toward Owosso, site of Train Festival 2009, where is will be participating in “America’s Largest Railroad Celebration in 2009″ from July 23-26.
The special train, which began its journey from Portland, Ore. July 3, will not be stopping in Niles. The train is estimated to travel at 45 miles per hour and to pass through Niles between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., following the departure of Amtrak Wolverine train 350 from Niles, after which it will pass through Dowagiac.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the glory days of railroading.
This is a piece of history coming through Niles. I just wished my father-in-law who worked for the railroad was still in the area to see and hear it. I’ll be there taking pictures for him!