PM 1225 Set to Pull Excursions in 2024

Former Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225 is set to operate in 2024 the Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso, Michigan, said this week.

However, the group had not yet released a schedule of trips that it plans to operate behind the Berkshire-type locomotive other than there will be fall foliage excursions.

SRI executive director Dean Pyers told Railfan & Railroad magazine that the group hopes to have a busy schedule.

The 1225 pulled 21 North Pole Express trips last year. Those were the first trips behind the 1225 after it was idled while its running gear was restored. That work took more than a year to complete.

SW1200 Switcher Donated to SRI in Owosso

An SW1200 switcher has been donated to the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan.

SRI is best known as the operator of former Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225.

The switcher once moved coal at a Michigan power plant owned by Consumers Energy, which made the donation.

The switcher is expected to be used by SRI for switching in its Owosso yard and possibility to pull excursion trains.

During its revenue service days, the switcher, worked in Essexville, Michigan.

Pere Marquette 1225 Set to Return to Service

Former Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225 will return to revenue service this month.

The Berkshire-type locomotive completed a series of test runs and break-in trips on the Great Lakes Central Railroad that began in late October to cap a rebuilding of its drivers and running gear.

The work was overseen by the Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso, Michigan, and contractor FMW Solutions.

The Steam Railroading Institute owns the 1225. Some work on the drivers was done at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga.

Some components were installed on the 1225 that came from former Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 757 at the Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum in Bellevue, Ohio.

During the rebuilding the locomotive also received a new dual-beam headlight.

SRI officials told Trains magazine that the 1225 will lead some dress rehearsal runs of its annual North Pole Express, which operates between Owosso and Ashley, Michigan, a distance of 25.6 miles.

Those excursions will begin on Nov. 18 and most tickets have been sold out since late July.

SRI Launches Fundraising Drive to Restore Steamer

A Michigan group has kicked off a fundraising drive to restore another steam locomotive.

The Steam Railroading Institute estimates it will take $1 million to restore to operating condition former Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 175.

The Owosso-based group, which operates former Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225, has more than half of that amount on hand through grants it has already received.

SRI needs to raise at least $40,000 to meet a matching requirement for a federal grant it has been awarded. Thus far it has raised $70,000 of that.

It acquired the R-1 class steamer in 2018 from the Mineral Range Railroad in Ishpeming, Michigan.

The 175 was built in 1908 by American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York.

Museum officials said the 175 will be able to operate on routes for which the 765 is too large to operate.

More information on the “Revive 175” campaign by visiting http://michigansteamtrain.com/revive-175/

Group Eyes Restoring C&NW Steamer

A Michigan group is seeking funding to restore a former Chicago & North Western steam locomotive.

The Steam Railroading Institute estimates it will cost $1 million to restore 4-6-0 No. 175.

The group, which operates former Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225, is seeking to raise $40,000, which would match a grant it received through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program.

Railfan & Railroad magazine reported on its website that the Steam Institute has thus far raised about $70,000.

The report said the 175 was acquired by the Steam Institute in 2018 and then moved from Hancock, Michigan, to Owosso, Michigan, where the Steam Institute is based.

The 175 was built in 1908 and retired in the 1950s. Once restored, the 175 is expected to operate with the 1225 in excursion service.

PM 1225 to Undergo Overhaul

A former Pere Marquette steam locomotives will undergo rebuilding of its running gear.

The Michigan-based Steam Railroading Institute said this week that work on 2-8-4 No. 1225 is expected to begin this month and be completed in time for the 2022 operating season.

The locomotive will be lifted and the drivers, axles and wheel assemblies removed for rebuilding.

The rebuilding work will be performed by FWM Solutions. SRI, which is based in Owosso, Michigan, said the work will be the most extensive to be performed on that component of the Berkshire-type locomotive since it was retired in 1951.

Funding for the overhaul will come from grants and donations, SRI officials said.

PM 1225 to Pull North Pole Express Excursions

Former Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225 will pull a series of North Pole Express excursions between Nov. 20 and Dec. 19 in Michigan.

Except for trips on Nov. 26, all excursions will operate on Saturdays and Sundays.

Trains will depart Owosso at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on all days, leaving from the Steam Railroading Institute facility.

The trips will last an hour and 15 minutes and reach the “North Pole” in Ashley. About 90 percent of the tickets were sold within an hour after going on sale.

More information is available at https://www.michigansteamtrain.com/

CN Grant to Help Restore SRI Coaches

The Steam Railroading Institute will use a donation from Canadian National to repair three passenger cars.

The Owosso-based organization said the CN grant of $2,000 will be applied toward repair the brake valves on former CN coaches Nos. 5447 and 5646, so they can be used in excursion service.

Some of the grant will be used for window refurbishment and seal replacement on former Pennsylvania Railroad coach No. 147.

 “This will allow the continuation of repairs to three of our coaches and will be a significant and important job for our volunteers to better learn the inner workings of our passenger car fleet,” said Aaron Farmer, the institute’s mechanical manager, in a statement.

SRI Cancels 2020 Excursions

The Michigan-based Steam Railroading Institute said this week it has canceled the rest of its planned 2020 excursions.

This includes the annual fall foliage specials and the holiday-themed North Pole Express.

In an announcement posted on its website, SRI, which is based in Owosso, cited the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the operation of excursion trains is identified as being among the highest risk activities associated with the spread of the virus.

The North Pole Express will be idle for the first time in 16 years.

SRI said it will explore options for safe, outdoor events in Owosso and hopes to offer a Pere Marquette Christmas experience. The group owns Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225.

The museum is currently closed for public visits in accordance local health department guidelines.

The announcement noted that with excursions stopped and the museum closed, it has lost its traditional sources of revenue.

It is seeking donations in an effort to help make up the income void.

Information on donating is available at michigansteamtrain.com/save-our-steamer or by mailing donations to Steam Railroading Institute; P.O. Box 665, Owosso, MI 48867.

Michigan Museum Delays Opening

The Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan, has announced that it is delaying its opening for the season.

In a notice posted on its website, the museum said it was acting in compliance with a state stay-at-home order as well as to protect public health and the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff.

It is the second time this year the SRI has delayed its opening. It posted a similar postponement notice in March.

The latest notice did not give any indication as to when the museum might open for 2020.

In an unrelated development, the June meeting of the Michigan Railroad Club has been canceled due to state social distancing restrictions.

The Detroit area where the club is based has been among the hardest hit in the state.