Pere Marquette 1225 and the 2019 North Pole Express
Due to this video being an hour long, here are the provided time codes to jump to one of the four parts of the video:
00:34 - 5am at the Steam Railroading Institute
11:57 - 10am Trip
29:40 - 5pm Trip
42:49 - After Hours at the Steam Railroading Institute
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Perhaps it is my upbringing in a railroad family, but Christmas time is always a time for the trains to come out of the basement and under the tree. Museums and organizations everywhere announce their train rides to meet Santa, either on short out and back runs. Some organizations run their regular route to The North Pole for children to meet Santa in their version of the beloved book and film: The Polar Express.
Only one organization in the world can ever say they have the real Polar Express locomotive, and that of course is The Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso Michigan with their Pere Marquette 1225. These trips are the most famous of the Polar Express (or variation of) in the United States and with good reason: Michigan countryside is stunning, and a trip behind big steam doing what it does best is hard to pass on. For Four years I have made the trip North to see the Berkshire strut her stuff through Central Michigan, but this year I wanted to go crazy. With my best friend Garrett Monnin, we spend two Saturdays and a Sunday chasing the North Pole Express from Owosso to Ashley. Along the way we visited classic locations, discovered and shot at some new ones. As I am the videographer of our duo, a thought loomed in the back of my head, How big is this video going to be?
... Well just over an hour as it turns out. I promise you that every second is visually stunning and worth your time. As new members of the Steam Railroading Institute we were kindly invited to see Pere Marquette 1225 roll out of her shed and get ready for the morning and the train being broken up and put away for the night on two separate occasions. These two segments (parts 1 and 4) make up the start and close to this video and serve as book ends to a journey. I want to thank you for all the support over the years in watching the video of a kid from Toledo film the heritage operations that bear some relevance to my hometown. I know it's large, but this in-depth video is my way of giving back. Thank you for taking the time to read and watch this video.
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Mary Elizabeth Lombardo Sentencing, Sept 13, 2019
You Stole From Santa Claus Judge Matthew Stewart
Corunna Mi. - Mary Elizabeth Lombardo, 41, was sentenced for embezzling $228, 818.94 from the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Mi. on Sept. 13, 2019, by Judge Matthew Stewart in the 35th Judicial Circuit Court - Shiawassee County.
Lombardo over a 3 year period embezzled over $228,000.00 from the SRI, a non-profit, and has nothing to show for it. Lombardo also was paid $45,000.00 per year as an employee.
Lombardo shredded files wiped computers and scuttled her office when she left.
Lombardo had routed $76,000.00 through PayPal into her personal account.
Kimberly Springsdorf, Executive Director, Steam Railroading Institute addressed the court regarding the financial damage that Lombardo had done to the SRI, home of the 1225, the Chrismas Train.
Judge Stewart stated at sentencing that the sentence recommendations, 0 to 17 months by Mich. State Legislature or the 9 months recommended by the Michigan Department of Corrections were not reasonable.
Judge Stewart after laying out financial obligations including restitution of $227,818.94 sentenced Lombardo to a minimum of 36 months not to exceed 180 months.
Story/Video: Friends Community News Group / Tom Manke
All Rights Reserved.
Presentation of the Pere Marquette 1225 - November 20, 2013 in Owosso, Michigan
Take part in a magical journey to the North Pole or come out in June for the 2014 Train Expo (featuring additional vintage aircraft and automobiles) with our star attraction: Owosso's own Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive. This train was featured in the Polar Express animated movie!
For information or tickets, please visit michigansteamtrain.com/
About 1225: Pere Marquette 1225, the largest and most impressive locomotive in the Steam Railroading Institute's collection is the largest operating steam locomotive in Michigan. Built in October of 1941 by the Lima Corporation for the Pere Marquette Railway, 1225 was designed for fast-freight service. Most of 1225's short career in freight service was spent hauling steel and wartime freight between Michigan's factories and northern Indiana steel mills. In 1941, the construction cost for the locomotive was $200,000 or roughly $2.5 million by today's standards. Since its restoration and subsequent entrance into passenger service, approximately $1 million has been spent over the last 30 years to keep the locomotive up and running.
The locomotive is one of thirty-nine 2-8-4 Berkshire types ordered by the Pere Marquette Railway. The 2-8-4 classification refers to the wheel arrangement of 1225. It has a 2-wheel pony truck up front to guide the larger set of 8 driving wheels into curves, and a 4- wheel trailing truck to support the weight of the boiler's massive firebox. 1225 is sixteen feet tall, 101 feet long with a combined engine and tender weight of 400 tons. It produces 3000 horsepower and in the 1940s, was able to pull one hundred loaded freight cars at sixty miles per hour. It takes about eight hours to generate a full head of steam on the locomotive's boiler, which in turn operates at 245 pounds per square inch. The tender holds 22 tons of coal and 22,000 gallons of water, consuming one ton of coal for every twelve miles and 150 gallons of water per mile. The Pere Marquette Railway merged with the Chesapeake & Ohio in 1947 ending 1225's corporate run with the PM. The locomotive continued in regular service until its retirement in 1951 in favor of newer and less costly diesel locomotives. In 1957, 1225 was saved from the scrap yard by officials at Michigan State University who sought an outdoor monument to commemorate the steam-era. In 1969, a band of students set out to restore the locomotive to operable condition but eventually lost favor with university administrators who grew tired of looking at a torn-down locomotive on their property. As a result, the growing team of MSU rail enthusiasts began searching for of a new home and in 1983, 1225 was moved to the site of the former Ann Arbor Railroad's steam shop. Restoration work continued until 1988 when the locomotive was reborn and ready for service, making it the largest operating steam locomotive in Michigan. Today, former PM 1225 is used for excursion service and during other special events to help educate the public about steam railroading in Michigan and the greater United States.
Commemorating 50 Years | Steam Railroading Institute 2019 Schedule
We are excited to announce the complete schedule for the 2019 season with Pere Marquette 1225 and Lehigh Valley Coal Company 126! This year will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Michigan State University Railroad Club who set course the dream that lives to this very day. Tickets are now available to purchase at michigansteamtrain.com/tickets-reservations or by calling (989)399-7589.
Pure Michigan Steam: Train Expo 2014
In June of 2014, the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan hosted an event of air, road, and rail transportation known as Train Expo 2014: Locomotives, Wings and Wheels.
Midwest Zephyr Media was there for all three days, June 20th to the 22nd, to cover the railroading portion of the event. From the SRI grounds to track-side, you'll witness eight operating steam locomotives both on display and in action hauling passenger excursions on the Great Lakes Central. The locomotives range from the small tank engine to the mighty Berkshires, including the recently rebuilt, Pere Marquette 1225.
It's all this and more in this one hour presentation of pure Michigan steam!
For the Bonus Footage:
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Two Steam Scenes at Owosso
Many of us gathered in Owosso, MI for Train Expo 2014. This clip has two scenes from our DVD, “The Great Gathering at Owosso”. Both were recorded at the same location as slow moving trains returned to the Steam Railroading Institute.
First we see one of the “short-trip” trains led by Lehigh Valley Coal 126 and Viscose 6. Minutes after this train cleared, Pere Marquette 1225 passes by as it returned from the half-day trip to Alma, MI. Pere Marquette 1225’s sound and image were used in the 2004 film “The polar Express”.
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Steam Railroading Institute (Rolling Stock), 06-26-2013 #3
Here we got various pieces of railroad rolling stock on display at SRI in Owosso, Michigan. In the following order: MSTX (C&O-B&O) 1615 Passenger Coach Car, Detroit & Mackinac (D&M) 3514 Gondola Car, Pure Oil Company (POX) 2124 Tankcar, & Grand Trunk Western (GTW) Burro Crane, & Detroit & Mackinac (D&M) 7 Troop Sleeper/Power Car.
Steam Railroading Institute (Mighty Mouse), 06-26-2013
MSTX Mighty Mouse GE 25-Tonner diesel switcher on display at the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan.
Steam Railroading Institute (Rolling Stock), 06-26-2013 #2
Here we got various pieces of railroad rolling stock on display at SRI in Owosso, Michigan. In the following order: MSTX (VIA-CNR) 5646 Passenger Coach Car, MSTX (C&O) 2624 Passenger Sleeper Car, Wabash (WAB) 82583 Boxcar, Ann Arbor (AA) X4646 MOE Boxcar, Pere Marquette (PM) 72332 Auto Furn Boxcar, Grand Trunk Western (GTW) 584388 Wooden Troop Car, & MSTX (SRI-C&O) 462 Passenger Combine/Tool Car
Shaking off the Cobwebs | PM 1225 readying the 2019 Season
After a busy off-season of maintenance, repairs and upgrades, Pere Marquette 1225 was fired up for the first time since January in preparation for the locomotive's 2019 season. The Steam Railroading Institute will be commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Michigan State University Railroad Club and their initial restoration of 1225.
Visit for the full schedule of Pere Marquette 1225's excursions/events in 2019 and to purchase available tickets. #50th #lettheoldtimesroll
Steam Railroading Institute (Rolling Stock), 06-20-2014
Here we got various pieces of railroad rolling stock on display at SRI in Owosso, Michigan. In the following order: GLC (PRR) Flattened Observation Car, MDOT (Metra/BN) MiTrain Commuter Passenger Car, MSTX (C&O/B&O) 1615 Passenger Coach Car, Pure Oil Company (POX) 2124, MSTX (DOWX) 129 Dow Chemical Tankcar, Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) 31527 Gondola, Wabash (WAB) 82583 Boxcar, Ann Arbor (AA) X4646 MOE Boxcar, MSTX (C&O) 2624 Passenger Sleeper Car.
Owosso - 1225 Steam Engine Train and Diesel - November - Shiawassee Street Crossing _0001.wmv
One of Owosso, Michigan's many great assets is the Steam Railroading Institute, which includes a museum and other facilities. The institute's 3.5 acre grounds also hold a roundhouse, the 800,000 pound Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive and tender, the 82,000 pound Flagg Coal Company steam switch engine, the 136,000 pound Mississippian steam locomotive (under restoration), plus many train cars and other rolling stock from railroads in the United States and Canada. The Great Lakes Central Railroad is headquartered in Owosso, Michigan, as well.
In this video the Pere Marquette 1225 is heading west as it crosses South Shiawassee Street in Owosso before it eventually heads north on a roundtrip to Chesaning, Michigan. A couple minutes later, a lone Great Lakes Central Railroad GMTX GATX diesel makes the same crossing on the same track.
Steam Train Across Michigan: Pere Marquette 1225 'Cadillac Limited'
On October 5th, 2019, the Steam Railroading Institute made a run from Mt. Pleasant to Cadillac and return in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Michigan State Railroad Club, and their initial restoration of the famed Berkshire 1225. With fall color starting to hint it's way onto trees and some 60 miles of railroad each way for the steam giant to cover, it was a great day.
Pere Marquette 1225 in Cadillac, Michigan 6-4-2016
On Saturday June 4, 2016, Pere Marquette N-1 Class Berkshire #1225 came to Cadillac, Michigan, not only for the Back to the Bricks Classic Car Show, but also for her 75th birthday. Pere Marquette 1225 was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in December 1941 for fast freight service on the Pere Marquette. After retirement in 1951, the engine was acquired by Michigan State University in 1957, where she was an outdoor static display. From 1971 to 1985, #1225 was restored. Three years later, the engine left Michigan. In 1991, she made an appearance at the NRHS convention in Huntington, West Virginia, with Nickel Plate Road #765. On July 31, 1994, she was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004, #1225 returned to Michigan in time for the release of the Warner Bros. animated film The Polar Express. Today, #1225 is owned, maintained and operated by the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan.
SRI Exec. Director: embezzlement was heartbreaking
Mary Lombardo is the former finance director for the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso. Investigators say she used the money to buy gas, groceries, and other personal items for her and family dating back to 2016.
North Pole Express Departing Owosso
Pere Marquette 1225 pulling the North Pole Express out of Owosso, Michigan during it's final run of the 2015 season.
Throughout the 20 trips, the Steam Railroading Institute transported over 18,000 people to the North Pole The Village of Ashley's Country Christmas.
Thanks to all of the Steam Railroading Institute's volunteers and all of their passengers for making this year such a huge success.
Pere Marquette 1225 Departs Owosso (Preview)
Pere Marquette 1225 is one of the largest operating steam locomotives in the United States of America. Built in 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works, this locomotive once hauled priority freight trains between Detroit and Grand Rapids. The 2-8-4 wheel design was efficient and proved the many railroad companies that Lima had created a superpower locomotive.
Today, the 1225 belongs to the Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso, Michigan - hauling summertime passenger trains and Christmas excursions for their annual North Pole Express. This year, the locomotive is making dreams come true for many children who grew up watching the movie, The Polar Express.
In fact, the 1225 was the locomotive that inspired the 2004 animated movie. At the premier showing, Chris VanAllsburg stated that Pere Marquette 1225 was the inspiration for the story line. He played on the engine as a child when it was on display at Michigan State University and was inspired by the number 1225, which to him was 12/25, Christmas Day. The real 1225 was used to create the animated image of the engine and all the locomotive sounds were recorded from the 1225.
The Steam Railroading Institute has owned and operated this locomotive since the 1980s and continues to inspire generations of children to live their dreams. This thirty second video is a sneak peek into our upcoming documentary about this history of the locomotive and the people who devote countless hours to help keep it under steam. Look for information about the release in the coming months.
In the mean time, check out the Steam Railroading Institute's Facebook Page for more information on the locomotive and how to buy tickets, or visit michigansteamtrain.com.
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Copyright 2015. Any illegal reproduction of this video and its content is strictly prohibited. Full legal action will take place if necessary if reproduced or licensed without expressed written permission from Delay In Block Productions.
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Singing Santas & 1225
300 Santa Clauses from C.W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland Mi took a trip on the 1225 out of Owosso Mi. on Oct. 27, 2017. C.W. Howard is known as the Harvard of Santa Schools throughout the world. The School opened in 1937. The Santa’s on the trip were from all over the United States, Canada and Europe. Here a group sings.
Video: Friends and Community Owosso / Tom Manke
Welcome David Shorter from Jeffery Gulick
Just a brief video clip to welcome our new miracle worker to the SRI team of miracle workers. Starring The Real Polar Express which lives in Owosso, the heart of Shiawassee County, Michigan. The real Polar Express is the 1225 Pere Marquette Steam Locomotive, brought back to life by the Steam Railroading Institute, and used as the model for the iconic holiday movie. The real story is the author Chris Van Alsburg played on it as a child when it was a statue on the campus of Michigan State University - then he dreamed of a magical train which came and took him to ring in Christmas with Santa at the North Pole (sound familiar?).
Steam Railroading Institute (Rolling Stock), 06-26-2013 #6
Here we got various pieces of railroad rolling stock on display at SRI in Owosso, Michigan. In the following order: GLC (VIA-CNR) 5447 Passenger Coach Car, Ann Arbor (AA-DTI-WAB) 2838 Caboose, Ann Arbor (AA-WAB) 2839 Caboose, MSTX (SRI-VIA-CNR) 5576 Passenger Coach Car, MSTX (VIA-CNR) 762 Passenger Cafe Car, & MSTX (SRI-VIA-CNR) 5581 Passenger Coach Car.