The excursion finally arrives in Durand and prepares to stop at the historic depot as the crowds cheer after waiting all day for this moment.

Dawn approaches with the short lived clear sky, as a southbound BNSF train slides by with a couple of pops of the strobe to have the reflexlite stand out.

SP 4-8-4 4449 passes the coaling tower on her way out of town at Michigan City, Indiana.

The Daylight helps brighten the Village of Lawton.

There must be 20 or more people standing on the walk bridge across the tracks as the steam blows past them from SP 4449. The walk bridge crosses the tracks to a viewing platform of one of the Miss... (more)

The much anticipated and chased Daylight gives railfans a steam bath.

A classic Milwaukee Road Hiawatha car brings up the rear of one of the greatest trains to come to Chicago in over 30 years.

The character of the steam engine from above.

SP 4-8-4 4449 passes the coaling tower on her way out of town at Michigan City, Indiana.

The 4449 running after midnight between Eric and my car.

SP 4449 leaves Michigan City eastbound passing under the old Michigan Central coaling dock.

On the approach to Chadwick, IL., the SP4449 completes it's climb out of the Mississippi River valley and will soon encounter the hill 'n dale of the west end of the C&I.

The Photo says it all, Welcome to trainfestival 2009 4449.

As if on cue, the SP 4449 smokes it up for the onlookers above.

SP 4449 sits in Michigan City, Indiana awaiting it's train from Chicago shortly after sunrise. It was orginally scheduled to run from Chicago but a clearance issue on the NS Chicago Line forced th... (more)