The 10am Polar Express passes the Carland Elevator at 10:30, bound for the "North Pole", aka Ashley, Michigan.

PM 1225 runs past the Carland Elevator with the Curwood Highlander.

Great Lakes Central 397 brings up the antlers...er, markers, of the North Pole Express. The headend has just passed iconic Carland Elevator with a lot of smoke from 1225, while 397 quietly gets dr... (more)

Pere Marquette 1225 an 2-8-4 steam locomotive is seen here passing the famous Carland Elevator on a beautiful November morning. Though PM 1225 was the inspiration behind the book "The Polar Expre... (more)

With this being only one of two chances to light up the 2016 version of the North Pole Express featuring the PM 1225, I wanted to make it count, and I was hoping that people would stay away from t... (more)

With color coming very late this year, this pocket that has been good to me in the past is just now getting good. With 50 loads from Ron Brown, the ONTN races through the tunnel kicking up fallen... (more)

On a sunny November afternoon Pere Marquette 1225 leads the North Pole Express to Ashley, Michigan. It is seen here passing the popular Carland Elevator location.

When I stopped by the yard in Owosso after work, it was about 4:15, and still very light out, but that would not last for much longer. I asked how much longer they were going to be in the yard, an... (more)

After having to wait for the GLC ONTN to return to Owosso, the North Pole Express slows for Carland and the photographers lined up with lights before opening it back up as they try to make up for ... (more)

Bringing Up The Rear In Style. Back in 2009, the primary attraction was on the front of the train. But with a Super Dome and Skytop lounge bringing up the markers, the rear end of ... (more)

For the first time in years, Great Lakes Central had the privilege to operate run-through power on a unit grain train, this of obvious NS origin. With CSX increasing rates on cars, NS jumped in an... (more)

The color this fall has been some of the best I have seen in years, and in many places was beyond spectacular. While this spot north of Carland has never failed me, it was beyond incredible this y... (more)

The final Friday night run of the North Pole Express led me to an old favorite daylight spot, the Carland Elevator. With flashes in tow, this is no longer a spot limited to light. Lit with 3 Canon... (more)

The "Polar Express" rolls through Carland, MI., passing it's "landmark" grain elevator.