Pere Marquette #1225 Steams Through Michigan

Published Jun 25, 2015 By Robert Blue

Berkshire Class 2-8-4 Pere Marquette sounds sweet as she approaches the crossing!

Filmed on a beautiful winter’s day in Owosso, Michigan, the Pere Marquette #1225 shows off her steam and whistle and 2 red cabooses!

The Pere Marquette #1225 a 2-8-4 Berkshire locomotive is the sister locomotive to the Nickle Plate Road’s #765. She is owned by the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation and is used for rail excursions on the Great Lakes Central Railroad.

This is the same locomotive that inspired the book and Warner Brother’s movie The Polar Express!

Her blueprints were used as a prototype along with her sounds for the locomotive in the movie.

Quick Facts

Rail Line: Great Lakes Central Railroad
Train Name: Pere Marquette #1225 (Berkshire)
Power type: 2-8-4 Steam Locomotive class N-1
Builder: Lima Locomotive Works 1941
Locomotive and tender weight: 727,300 lbs
fuel type: coal

If you’ve ever taken a ride on the Pere Marquette #1225 excursion or a train like this let us know in the comments below! Would love to hear your experience on this classic piece of history!