OWOSSO, Mich. — The Steam Railroading Institute’s Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225 has been sidelined for the remainder of the organization’s North Pole Express excursion season, the organization has announced.
The Lansing State Journal reports that the locomotive, built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1941, is not being run on the holiday excursions as a precautionary measure because of “a concern with the locomotive’s superheaters.”
The excursions between Owosso and the Village of Ashley will still take place, with trains powered by diesels. The excursions, which began Nov. 23, continue Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Dec. 22. All 23 trips sold out shortly after going on sale in July. No refunds are offered because of the change of motive power.
The institute’s statement said that more than 8,000 feet of superheater tubing will need to be inspected and repaired as necessary. “Given the location of the superheaters deep inside the boiler, this work will take the locomotive out of service for the entire North Pole Express season. Our entire team at SRI is just as disappointed as you are that we needed to make this decision, but our primary goal is for the safety of our passengers and crew .. and the protection of this treasured locomotive that is in our care.”
Donations for the repairs and other SRI activities can be made at the organization’s website.
How long since the boiler went thru major overhaul? Is it probable that more than several tubes are leaking?
One of the major reasons the diesel supplanted steam was the high cost and frequency of maintenance required for boilers. Many dollars are still spent each year by non-profit historic groups keeping up their treasured steam beasts. The future or this may be closing as lack of funds and and skilled labor will dwindle curtailing the further preservation of operating steam.
I disagree completely. Despite these costs, we are actually seeing more steam under restoration, and even more large steam. In fact, it seems we are in the midst of a steam restoration resurgence. For example, look at Silvis shops, with a 4-6-6-4 and a 2-10-2 well underway. Then we have, of course, East Broad Top intending to repair all 6 engines. Then there is the recent NYC Mohawk announcement along with the C and O 614 just purchased for restoring to operation, and the 2-8-4 in Kentucky (or is it Tennessee?) Plus, we have the Reading 2102 back in steam, the 2101 about to be, and the K-4 coming along nicely. I must also mention the recreation of the Pennsylvania T-1 4-4-4-4, now more than 50 % complete. This is not a complete list. I don’t see either dwindling or curtailing.
Must be a very large hat — to fit a similarly sized head.
I told them to get a 7-1/2!
Why you. I audda!
Really? Deep inside the “bowler???”
Those bowlers can certainly be a problem.