Chasing the Polar Express - PM #1225

I missed the the steam locomotive era, where these behemoths roamed the rails.  I've seen some in museums, and yes some are large.  A large mass of metal and engineering sitting static is interesting - but moving would be great.  If there were an item on the bucket list which was to see a steam locomotive in motion, I can cross it off as of today.
The Pierre Marquette #1225 was built in 1942.  It is a standard gauge 2-8-4 Berkshire, weighing in at a svelte 442,500 pounds.  It is just under 102 feet long.
This particular locomotive was used by the Pierre Marquette Railway from late 1942 until it was retired in 1951.  For most of #1225's service life, it was used to move steel and wartime freight between Indiana steel mills and production sites in Michigan.  In 1957, the locomotive was donated to Michigan State University for engineering students to study.
While sitting as a static display at MSU, the future author of the Polar Express book who was attending MSU games as a child noticed the locomotive, and it became the inspiration for the engine in the story.  And in one of those little quirks of history, #1225 was the real number, no literary license for creativity was needed.
Over the years, a group of MSU students formed a club - and worked to restore the engine.  In 1975, fires were lit, steam was generated and the whistle blew.
In 1985, the engine moved from Lansing to Owasso, where it became the property of the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, which is now going under the name of Stream Railroading Institute.
After passing a number of inspections, the engine is now used to haul passengers for pleasure in the mid-Michigan area.
Whew.
This year it ran a short run during the weekends called the Northern Express.  That run ends this weekend.  Then next weekend, it will run the Santa Express.  In talking with the yard volunteers, the difference is the Santa Express will have only vintage cars behind the locomotive.
I will be around there somewhere.
It is tough to get over how big these are.  For reference:

For further reference, that dude in the green is bigger than me.
Today was a field trip of sorts.  I was accompanied by two fellow members of the photo club I belong to.  Our goal was to get photos of the train - in motion.  We had a map of the route, and with some hustle we could get one of not more different locations during its trip.
I have photos from four locations that include the start and end with two in between.  I can not confirm or deny that the GPS voice was reminding me on multiple occasions what the posted speed was.
Our first stop was the village(?) of Carland.  This was probably the most interesting stop as there is an old grain storage building there, and if necessary would be a good back drop.  And as always, I'm not the first to ever have an original idea.  We had company.

I would see these same folks at multiple stops.  Some were a photo club from London, Ontario.  I could have made a few bucks selling coffee.  Strong coffee.
And as you can see, in Michigan the weather person calls this condition, sunny skies.
So, coming through Carland, Michigan - the PM #1225.

ISO 1000, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec, 120 mm
NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

Absolutely spectacular visual today.  I started out with I missed the steam locomotive era.  Which is true, wasn't around then.  But now there is a double meaning as I missed seeing these creations.