By Justin Franz
CUMBERLAND, Md. — December is aiming to be a steamy month as locomotives are fired up from coast-to-coast to lead holiday excursions. Among those that will be hitting the rails are some of the country’s largest operating steam locomotives, including the newest member of that elite group, Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 1309 at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
Locomotive 1309 hit the main line for the first time following its restoration earlier this month and will make its public debut on the Polar Express on December 17, 18 and 19. It is expected to make multiple trips out of Cumberland those days. Most trips are already sold out. Last week, the railroad also released its 2022 schedule, which will have the locomotive leading the Frostburg Flyer every weekend in the summer. Visit the railroad’s website for more information.
In Michigan, Pere Marquette 2-8-4 1225 — the locomotive that was the basis for the one in the movie version of the Polar Express — will be leading the North Pole Express for three weekends in December. The train will depart from Owosso at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays. The train will make a roundtrip to the Village of Ashley, where a Christmas celebration is being held.
This weekend in the Twin Cities, Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 261 will be leading its own North Pole Express out of St. Paul’s historic Union Depot. The short excursions will be led by 261 on December 3, 4, and 5 and then Milwaukee Road E9 32A on December 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Finally, in Portland, Ore., Southern Pacific 4-8-4 4449, the famous “Daylight,” will be leading Holiday Express excursions from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center over the next three weekends. Tickets are on sale now.
But these big engines aren’t the only ones getting fired up this year. From coast-to-coast, a fleet of smaller steam locomotives will also be leading holiday excursions from the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum on the East Coast to the Oregon Coast Scenic on the West Coast. Check out your local railroad museum to see what experiences they’re offering this holiday season.
