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Pere Marquette 1223 facts for kids

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Pere Marquette 1223
Power type Steam
Builder Lima Locomotive Works
Serial number 7837
Build date 1941
Configuration 2-8-4
UIC classification 1′D2′ h2
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading wheel diameter 36 in (0.91 m)
Driver diameter 69 in (1.75 m)
Trailing wheel diameter 43 in (1.09 m)
Length 101 ft 8 in (30.99 m)
Height 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m)
Weight on drivers 277,600 lb (125,900 kilograms; 125.9 tonnes)
Locomotive weight 442,500 lb (200,700 kilograms; 200.7 tonnes)
Locomotive and tender combined weight 805,900 lb (365,600 kilograms; 365.6 tonnes)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 44,000 lb (20,000 kilograms; 20 tonnes)
Water capacity 22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal)
Fuel consumption 1 short ton (0.91 t; 0.89 long tons) of coal per 12 miles (19 km) travelled (1 tonne every 21 km)
Boiler pressure 245 psi (1.69 MPa)
Fire grate area 90.3 sq ft (8.4 m2)
Cylinders Two
Cylinder size 26 in × 34 in (660 mm × 864 mm)
Power output 2,979 hp (2.22 MW)
Tractive effort 69,350 lbf (308.5 kN)
Number in class 8 of 12
Nicknames "The Forgotten N-1"
Locale Michigan
Retired 1951
Restored 1982 (cosmetic)
Current owner The City of Grand Haven
Disposition On static display in Grand Haven, Michigan

The Pere Marquette 1223 is a powerful steam locomotive that you can see today in Grand Haven, Michigan. It's one of only two "Berkshire" type locomotives left from the old Pere Marquette Railway. Its sister engine, No. 1225, is still able to run!

History of Pere Marquette 1223

Building a Mighty Machine

The Pere Marquette 1223 was built in 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works. This company was famous for making strong steam engines. The locomotive cost about $90,000 back then. That would be like $1.6 million today!

Working on the Rails

Locomotive 1223 was a freight train engine. It carried goods between Toledo and Chicago. This was during and right after World War II. It helped move important supplies across the country.

Later, the Pere Marquette Railway joined with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The 1223 was supposed to get a new number, 2657. But it never did! The train was still being paid for. So, it kept its original Pere Marquette look. In 1951, the 1223 stopped working on the railway.

Finding a New Home

After it retired, the 1223 was moved to New Buffalo, Michigan. It was going to be taken apart for scrap. But people wanted to save it! In 1960, the locomotive was painted again. It was then moved to the state fairgrounds in Detroit for display. School children in the Detroit area even helped raise money for this move!

In 1980, the fairgrounds wanted to make their grandstands bigger. The 1223 was in the way. The city of Grand Haven decided to try and get the train. They won the chance to become its new home!

With help from the Michigan National Guard and other railroads, the 1223 moved to Grand Haven. This big move happened on September 1, 1981.

Looking Good Again

In 1982, the 1223 was cleaned up and made to look new again. This is called a "cosmetic restoration." It means it looks great, but it's not ready to run on tracks. It would cost a lot of money and time to make it run again. This is unlikely to happen because its sister engine, 1225, already runs.

During the restoration of the 1225, no parts were taken from the 1223. This was because a group called the Michigan Railroad Club wanted to protect the 1223. However, money raised at the 1223 during the State Fair did help with the 1225's restoration.

A Special Recognition

The Pere Marquette 1223 is a very important piece of history. On December 7, 2000, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special historical site.

A Small Incident

On February 28, 2020, someone caused some damage to the 1223 and its display area. The locomotive was spray-painted, and a door on a nearby caboose was broken.

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