Pere Marquette 1223 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pere Marquette 1223 |
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| 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 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 steam locomotive on permanent display in Grand Haven, Michigan. She is one of two surviving Pere Marquette 2-8-4 "Berkshire" type locomotives, along with sister engine No. 1225, which is in operating condition.
History
Built in 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works for $90,000 ($1.6 million in 2019 dollars), 1223 hauled freight between Toledo and Chicago in the years immediately before and after World War II. When Pere Marquette was absorbed by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, 1223 was assigned number 2657 but never had the new number applied. The locomotive was not paid off at the time and the merger agreement stated that equipment still under trust was to remain in Pere Marquette livery. 1223 was retired from service in 1951.
After retirement, 1223 was moved to New Buffalo, Michigan to be scrapped. However she was repainted and moved in 1960 for display at the state fairgrounds in Detroit. The money for that was provided by the donations collected by school children around the Detroit Area. In 1980, Michigan state fair officials wanted to expand the grandstands but 1223 stood in the way. The city of Grand Haven won the bidding process. With the help of the Michigan National Guard as well as Grand Trunk Western and Chessie System railroads, 1223 was moved to Grand Haven on September 1, 1981.
The 1223 was cosmetically restored in 1982. Considering the number of years that it has stood out in the elements, it would be an expensive and time-consuming project to restore it to operation. Such a restoration is unlikely since sister locomotive #1225 has been restored to operating condition. During 1225's restoration, no parts from 1223 were used, due to the objections of the Michigan Railroad Club, then unofficial custodians of the engine. However, the MSU Railroad Club did hold some successful fundraising events at the 1223 during the State Fair. That money was used in the restoration of the 1225.
1223 was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 7, 2000.
On February 28th, 2020, 1223 and the rest of the display was vandalized, with the locomotive being spray-painted several times and a caboose door kicked in.
