Twelve twenty-five : the life and times of a steam locomotive

Summary: "The against-all-odds story of a World War II-era steam locomotive and the determination of two generations of volunteers to keep it running comes alive in Twelve Twenty-Five: The Life and Times of a Steam Locomotive. Pere Marquette 1225 was built in 1941 at the peak of steam locomotive development. This narrative traces the 1225's regular freight service in Michigan, its unlikely salvation from the scrapyard for preservation at Michigan State University, and the subsequent work to bring it back to steam, first by a student club and later by the Steam Railroading Institute. Milestones along the way include 1225's retirement in 1951, its donation to MSU in 1957, its return to steam in 1988, a successful career hauling tens of thousands of excursion riders, and its starring role in the 2004 movie The Polar Express. The massive infrastructure that supported American steam locomotives in their heyday disappeared long ago, forcing 1225's faithful to make their own spare parts, learn ancient railroad skills, and interpret the entire effort for the public. As such, the continuing career of 1225 is a triumph of historic preservation."--Front flap.

Record details

ISBN: 9781611862027 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN: 1611862027 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN: 9781611862034 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN: 1611862035 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN: 9781609174880 (pdf)
Physical Description: print
xi, 213 pages : illustrations (some color), map ; 23 x 29 cm
Publisher: East Lansing : Michigan State University Press, [2016]
Copyright: ©2016

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 203-207) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	Steam and the super power revolution -- The rise fo the Pere Marquette -- Berkshires become warriors -- A lucky number -- Students take up a cause -- Firing it up -- Back on the main line -- The Christmas locomotive -- The once and future Berkshire