Christmas 2017 - Modified Bachmann Lima Berkshire 2-8-4

My Bachmann Lima Berkshire which I have added an ESU decoder and extra weight to improve its running characteristics.

Original specs:
Loco weight (engine only): 430g / 15.2oz
Drawbar pull: 54g /1.9 oz / 27 cars
Min speed: ??? couldn't get a proper reading because the garbage factory decoder was so bad
Max speed: 68 scale mph

Modified specs:
Loco weight (engine only): 505g / 17.8oz
Drawbar pull: 77g / 2.7 oz / 38 cars
Min speed: 0.6 scale mph after CV54 back EMF tuning
Max speed: 50 scale mph, speed matched, linear calibration

Pere Marquette 1225 is a 2-8-4 (Berkshire) steam locomotive built for Pere Marquette Railway (PM) by Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio. PM 1225 was used in regular service from the locomotive's construction in 1941 until the railroad merged into Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) in 1947; it remained in use on C&O's Michigan lines until 1951. Slated for scrapping, 1225 was acquired by Michigan State University in 1957 and placed on static display.

In 1971, work began to restore 1225 to operational status, an effort that culminated in its first excursion run in 1988. The locomotive, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is now used on excursion trains over the former Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railway, now Great Lakes Central Railroad.