Steam Railroading Institute – Pere Marquette 1225 to debut for the 2018 season in August

Steam Railroading Institute
Pere Marquette 1225 to debut for the 2018 season in August
OWOSSO, MI. – Pere Marquette 1225 will debut for 2018 with a Hands on the Throttle experience on August 17th, and a return to the Howell Melon Festival for a full weekend of excursions sponsored by LOC Federal Credit Union; August 18th and 19th. The locomotive is currently receiving a variety of maintenance, repairs and upgrades in preparation for the operating season.
Hands on the Throttle will allow ticket-holders to climb into the cab and operate an authentic steam locomotive, rolling down the tracks at the Institute. A qualified engineer will be in the cab at all times and participants will enjoy a full half hour of learning about and operating the 1225. Tickets are $550* for one half-hour run time (*Plus, processing fee). Both the visitor center and backshop will also be open to the public that day from 10am to 4pm for tours and visits.
2018 will mark the third year in a row that the 1225 will be visiting Howell since the 75th Birthday season of 2016. The past two years of the Melon Festival steam excursions have become highly successful and a big highlight during the weekend with last year having over 3,000 passengers riding the train. All trips will depart from the historic railroad depot in downtown Howell on a one-hour, ROUND TRIP excursion. Passengers will enjoy the leisurely ride through the Livingston County countryside in one of SRI’s vintage Coaches or restored Cabooses. Coach Seating is $18* for Adults and $13* for Children while Caboose Seating is $28* for Adults and $23* for Children (*Plus, processing fee). The departure dates and times are as follows; Saturday, August 18th: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and Sunday, August 19th: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm.
The Pere Marquette 1225 was built in October 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works for the Pere Marquette Railroad. In 1957, the locomotive was retired and donated to the Michigan State University in East Lansing for display as an outdoor artifact to commemorate the steam era. In 1969, a group of university students commenced the restoration attempt on 1225 to operational service. Work continued in 1983 when the locomotive was moved to its new home in Owosso where the restoration was completed in 1988. Today, the 1225 is owned, maintained and operated by the Steam Railroading Institute.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at michigansteamtrain.com or by calling (989)399-7589. A third option of purchasing tickets for the Howell Melon Festival steam excursions will be provided at the Institute’s will-call next to the railroad station during the festival based on availability.
All Sales are final no refunds, unless Refund Protection Insurance is purchased before sale is completed (Refund Protection Insurance will allow for a full refund up to 72 hours before event). Steam Railroading Institute reserves the right to change out motive power or rolling stock at any time. Departure times are subject to delays due to freight traffic