Pere Marquette 1223

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.[2]

Pere Marquette 1223
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderLima Locomotive Works
Serial number7837
Build date1941
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-8-4
 • UIC1′D2′ h2
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.36 in (0.91 m)
Driver dia.69 in (1.75 m)
Trailing dia.43 in (1.09 m)
Length101 ft 8 in (30.99 m)
Height15 ft 8 in (4.78 m)
Adhesive weight277,600 lb (125,900 kilograms; 125.9 tonnes)
Loco weight442,500 lb (200,700 kilograms; 200.7 tonnes)
Total weight805,900 lb (365,600 kilograms; 365.6 tonnes)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity44,000 lb (20,000 kilograms; 20 tonnes)
Water cap22,000 US gal (83,000 l; 18,000 imp gal)
Fuel consumption1 short ton (0.91 t; 0.89 long tons) of coal per 12 miles (19 km) travelled (1 tonne every 21 km)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		90.3 sq ft (8.4 m2)
Boiler pressure245 psi (1.69 MPa)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size26 in × 34 in (660 mm × 864 mm)
Performance figures
Maximum speed70 mph (113 km/h)
Power output2,979 hp (2.22 MW)
Tractive effort69,350 lbf (308.5 kN)
Career
Operators
Class
  • PM N-1
  • C&O N-1
Number in class8 of 12
Numbers
  • PM 1223
  • C&O 2657 (never renumbered)
  • C&O 1223
Nicknames"The Forgotten N-1"
LocaleMichigan
Retired1951
Restored1982 (cosmetic)
Current ownerThe City of Grand Haven
DispositionOn static display in Grand Haven, Michigan
Pere Marquette Railway Locomotive #1223
Location301 N Harbor Dr., Grand Haven, Michigan
Coordinates43°4′4″N 86°13′48″W
Arealess than one acre
Built byLima Locomotive Works
Architectural stylesteam locomotive
NRHP reference No.00001490[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 7, 2000

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.[3]

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.[3]

The 1223 was cosmetically restored in 1982.[3] 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.[4][5]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "Train Engine #1223". SteamLocomotive.com. Retrieved 2006-08-07.
  3. "Pere Marquette Berkshire #1223". Pere Marquette Historical Society. Retrieved 2006-08-07.
  4. https://www.woodtv.com/news/ottawa-county/historic-train-in-grand-haven-targeted-by-vandals/
  5. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/02/28/locomotive-display-western-michigan-target-vandals/111378618/

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