Pere Marquette 1223 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pere Marquette 1223 |
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Power type | Steam |
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Builder | Lima Locomotive Works |
Serial number | 7837 |
Build date | 1941 |
Configuration | 2-8-4 |
UIC classification | 1′D2′ h2 |
Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 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!
Contents
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.