On Nov. 10, the 2-8-2 and its train will be on display in downtown Hartford between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The annual Hartford Christmas Parade will begin at 3 p.m.
“We are excited to participate in this event again,” says Zach Hall, CMO of the Steam Locomotive Heritage Association. “It has become a tradition for the local children.”
Later in the month, No. 1003 will participate in two events on Nov. 23. It will first travel to Plymouth where it will power a Santa train at the city park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The train will then move on to Elkhart Lake to deliver Christmas trees and participate in the dedication of a restored caboose on display in the community.
As the train travels back to its Hartford home later the same day, photographers will have a chance to photograph No. 1003 on the Mill Street Bridge in Plymouth while the city Christmas parade passes underneath about 7 p.m.
The trains will not offer tickets to passengers, but at all three events children will have a chance to visit with Santa.
Loved the 1003 when it went to Rhinelander back in 96 , over 2200 kids rode in one day what a site. Hope this event goes as well.
For those interested, it is possible to trace the route from Hartford to Elkhart Lake and return, with additional photo possibilities. Plymouth has 2 depots (C&NW, Milw. Rd.) side-by-side south of the bridge, which had a gantlet track. The TMER&L interurban to Elkhart Lake passed under the bridge, both it and the C&NW grade to Fond du Lac can be followed to the north. The Milw. Rd. line between Plymouth and Elkhart Lake passes very close to Road America (it was possible to glimpse racers from the windows of the northbound “Chippewa”) and parallels the highway from RA north. Elkhart retains its classic depot and offers lunch options, although the caboose display is incongruous.
Also of interest is the progress of relaying former C&NW track from Plymouth East to Sheboygan Falls. Perhaps someone can comment on that and also the movement from Hartford to the Milwaukee north line.
This story is quitye confusing. If the train is operating as a Santa Train from 11-3 will anyone besides the Saint be allowed to ride? Is it only the return trip that is closed? This really does need some clarification.
Christmas train sounds so much more heart warming than the sterile and politically correct “holiday” train does.