1225

[TrainWatcher]

Ok, with PM 1225's rebuild coming up, and maintenance on such an impressive locomotive not becoming cheaper, could SRI in the near future (though I would really hope not) retire her, and get a smaller more managable and cheaper to run steam locomotive? Just was a thought I had, even though I would hate to see it stuffed at like the Henry Ford or some place like that.

[odave]

They do have the Mississippian #76 (2-8-0), but I'm not sure how far along it is.

[hoborich]

smaller, more manageable, and cheaper, is a lot less impressive!

[j32885]

Mississippian 76 is in pieces, is a side project for SRI to work on. 1225 is SRI's main steamer, is the one they would like to maintain the most. If SRI were get another steamer, they should get one from the CN Heritage such as:

Coopersville, Michigan (Coopersville & Marne)
- #1395, Canadian National Railway, 4-6-0

Durand, Michigan (Park Engine, City Of Durand)
- #5632. Grand Trunk Western, 4-6-2

Jackson, Michigan (Park Engine, City Of Jackson)
- #5030, Grand Trunk Western, 4-6-2

Sidney, Michigan (Park Engine, Montcalm Community College)
- #7456, Grand Trunk Railway, 0-6-0

Windsor, Ontario (Park Engine, City Of Windsor)
- #5588, Canadian National Railway, 4-6-2

If 1225 was to be donated to the Henry Ford Museum, and the museum would have to take out all of stuff on Track 2 which currently has:

- The Dewitt Clinton
- The Rocket
- Atlantic & Gulf #3, "Sam Hill - The President"
- Bangor & Aroostook, Wooden Coach #6
- Canadian Pacific, Snowplow #400850
- Bessemer & Lake Erie #154
- Ingersoll-Rand #90

[Mr. Tops]

Mississippian 76 is in pieces, is a side project for SRI to work on. 1225 is SRI's main steamer, is the one they would like to maintain the most. If SRI were get another steamer, they should get one from the CN Heritage such as:

Coopersville, Michigan (Coopersville & Marne)
- #1395, Canadian National Railway, 4-6-0

Durand, Michigan (Park Engine, City Of Durand)
- #5632. Grand Trunk Western, 4-6-2

Jackson, Michigan (Park Engine, City Of Jackson)
- #5030, Grand Trunk Western, 4-6-2

Sidney, Michigan (Park Engine, Montcalm Community College)
- #7456, Grand Trunk Railway, 0-6-0

Windsor, Ontario (Park Engine, City Of Windsor)
- #5588, Canadian National Railway, 4-6-2

If 1225 was to be donated to the Henry Ford Museum, and the museum would have to take out all of stuff on Track 2 which currently has:

- The Dewitt Clinton
- The Rocket
- Atlantic & Gulf #3, "Sam Hill - The President"
- Bangor & Aroostook, Wooden Coach #6
- Canadian Pacific, Snowplow #400850
- Bessemer & Lake Erie #154
- Ingersoll-Rand #90

...and since the original post was IF SRI didn't have enough money to maintain 1225...any of the units you listed would cost FAR MORE to get them into operating condition than what it would cost to give 1225 her inspection/rebuild. And just because a unit is smaller, doesn't mean it costs less to operate. A smaller unit could just as easily have the same problems 1225 has had.

[CAT345C]

With the amount of photo charters at 800+ dollars a person, the income from private donations and endowments, along with the income of everything else SRI does that you pay admission for, they should have more than enough to get here past the over haul and inspection. If not, there are such things as bank loans. I'd be pretty willing to bet if for some reason they were short on cash a local bank would certainly offer them some type of loan, there is an awful lot of collateral and they would get a lot of good press for helping out in the community.

[AARR]

From e-mail off TRAINS Magazine news wire:

1225's owner hits financial crisis

Published: Monday, January 25, 2010

OWOSSO, Mich. - The nonprofit owner of Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225 laid off five of its six staff members today in response to a financial crisis. Steam Railroading Institute Executive Director T.J. Gaffney said the locomotive won't operate this year, and its future is now in doubt.

No. 1225 was to operate through May this year, when it comes due for its 15-year Federal Railroad Administration-mandated boiler inspection. However, leaky tubes uncovered during a Polar Express trip in December led the institute to sideline the locomotive early.

The group anticipated the high cost of the boiler inspection, which requires the locomotive to be stripped and the thickness of firebox sheets and boiler shell tested. To offset the costs, expected to reach into six figures, the institute sponsored Train Festival 2009 last July. The event drew 36,000 people to Owosso to see eight live steam locomotives, including 1225 and Southern Pacific 4-8-4 No. 4449 on its first Midwest visit since its nationwide tour with the American Freedom Train in 1975 and 1976.

Despite the thrill and ostensible success of the event, Gaffney said, "Train Festival's income and expenses were very close to each other." However, he added, "We feel that 2009 was a wonderful year, and we hope that our supporters still look to help us through these tough times."

Going forward, the institute has applied for a federal grant that Gaffney hopes will enable the group to return to normalcy. However, even if it receives the grant, it won't get any of the funds until October.

Gaffney said the people laid off had done their best to push the project forward. "Nothing that has happened here should reflect on the staff that has been let go," he said.

The engine, which had been parked near the museum's entrance gate, has been pushed into the engine house for now.

For more information on the Steam Railroading Institute, visit http://www.mstrp.com. - Andy Cummings

[jukeman45]

So in other words, A huge amount of money came in the front door and right out the back door. Lovely

As the Applegate Chevrolet commercial says "That sure sounds like Flint to me"

[Larry G]

Excuse me, but wasn't the purpose of the summer steam event to fund the rebuilding of the locomotive??

Any Specific details of what happened to the funds??

[AARR]

Excuse me, but wasn't the purpose of the summer steam event to fund the rebuilding of the locomotive??

Any Specific details of what happened to the funds??

One of the officials has been called-out on this but I don't know the results of that meeting. I don't know the inner circle of SRI so I don't want to names anyone but if any one else knows they may do so.

[Larry G]

There must be a public accounting on the funding matter. The organiaztion will not get future support unless a full disclosure happens and quickly!!! This report is most disturbing!!!

[Mr. Tops]

From e-mail off TRAINS Magazine news wire:
"Train Festival's income and expenses were very close to each other."

That means they may not have drawn enough of a profit from Train Festival to fully aid 1225's rebuild...

[CSX_CO]

From e-mail off TRAINS Magazine news wire:
"Train Festival's income and expenses were very close to each other."

That means they may not have drawn enough of a profit from Train Festival to fully aid 1225's rebuild...

Worse than that, it makes it sound like they didn't draw much of ANY profit out of it, let alone enough to pay for a rebuild.

Practice Safe CSX

[RailCanon]

During a conversation I had with TJ in July, he mentioned that they had broken-even on the festival expenses by the middle of the third day and all extra proceeds would go to 1225's inspection. That said, I have no idea exactly how much fell into that catogory.
Hopefully this mess can be straightened out soon. Sure isn't pretty...

[Larry G]

Hopefully this mess can be straightened out soon. Sure isn't pretty...

It also doesn't help with PR either. There is going to be major upset/anger if the 1225 is not around for the Christmas Excursions in 2010. That possibility is going to create critical mass and has the potential for a melt down!!!

[CAT345C]

Check out the facebook group, I will leave it at that, I don't have a fire truck to put out a fire it could start.

[AARR]

Check out the facebook group, I will leave it at that, I don't have a fire truck to put out a fire it could start.

Can you post the link?

[SD80MAC]

Posted on Trains.com

1225's owner hits financial crisis

Published: Monday, January 25, 2010

OWOSSO, Mich. - The nonprofit owner of Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225 laid off five of its six staff members today in response to a financial crisis. Steam Railroading Institute Executive Director T.J. Gaffney said the locomotive won't operate this year, and its future is now in doubt.

No. 1225 was to operate through May this year, when it comes due for its 15-year Federal Railroad Administration-mandated boiler inspection. However, leaky tubes uncovered during a Polar Express trip in December led the institute to sideline the locomotive early.

The group anticipated the high cost of the boiler inspection, which requires the locomotive to be stripped and the thickness of firebox sheets and boiler shell tested. To offset the costs, expected to reach into six figures, the institute sponsored Train Festival 2009 last July. The event drew 36,000 people to Owosso to see eight live steam locomotives, including 1225 and Southern Pacific 4-8-4 No. 4449 on its first Midwest visit since its nationwide tour with the American Freedom Train in 1975 and 1976.

Despite the thrill and ostensible success of the event, Gaffney said, "Train Festival's income and expenses were very close to each other." However, he added, "We feel that 2009 was a wonderful year, and we hope that our supporters still look to help us through these tough times."

Going forward, the institute has applied for a federal grant that Gaffney hopes will enable the group to return to normalcy. However, even if it receives the grant, it won't get any of the funds until October.

Gaffney said the people laid off had done their best to push the project forward. "Nothing that has happened here should reflect on the staff that has been let go," he said.

The engine, which had been parked near the museum's entrance gate, has been pushed into the engine house for now.

For more information on the Steam Railroading Institute, visit http://www.mstrp.com. - Andy Cummings

[AARR]

Oh, ok, that's what I posted a few threads above . It's karma CRJ...for daring to post $24

[SD80MAC]

D'oh, I pulled a Don Simon!