TRRS 359: Berkshires PM 1225 & NKP 765 at Train Expo 2014

Nothing quite symbolizes the allure of the rails like big steam on the open main. In June 2014, Owosso's Steam Railroading Institute brought together two Lima Locomotive "Berkshire" Locomotives, among others, for a weekend of steam railroading.

SRI's Pere Marquette 1225, and visiting FWRHS Nickel Plate 765 headlined the show, carrying on the legacy of William Woodard's "Super Power" steam concept. Build in 1941 and 1944 respectively, the "Berks" pulled tonnage at speed like few predecessors could. With a massive firebox and boiler, coupled with feedwater heaters, enlarged superheaters, and a trailing truck booster engine, the 1225 and 765 spent their careers at the heart of their respective fleets.

Saved from the gas wrench in the dieselization era, both units became static displays before eventually being rebuilt for excursion service.


Train Expo 2014 brought the two Berks together for the first time in several years, following the 1225's 15-year overhaul. Each locomotive hauled 5-hour excursions over three days from Owosso to Alma, Michigan along the famed Ann Arbor Railroad mainline, now controlled by the Great Lakes Central.

TRRS chased on the first day of excursions, Friday June 20, 2014. The day was marred by rain, but the majesty of steam can penetrate even the worst downpour. Follow along with the morning 765 excursion and then the afternoon 1225 excursion with the 2-8-4 "Berkshire" cousins from the Nickel Plate and Pere Marquette.

The chase of 1225 was terminated in Alma due to the heavy rain which would only continue. While I am not afraid to film in the rain (obviously!), it does not mean I like to do it over and over!

Nickel Plate 765 Train Expo Excursion
Consist [Northbound run arrangement]:
NKP 765 [Lima 2-8-4 "Berkshire"]
RPCX 250001 ["N&W" Auxiliary Tender]
RPCX 701 [FWRHS Tool Car]
MSTX 5000 [Auxiliary SRI Tender, ex-Rock Island]
RPCX 102 ["NYC" OHRS Coach "H. H. Wade"]
RPCX 104 ["ACL" OHRS Coach "City of Orrville"]
RPCX 106 ["SCL" OHRS Coach "Ohio Presidents"]
RPCX 103 ["W&LE" OHRS Coach "Robert S. Bixler"]
RPCX 101 ["PRR" OHRS Coach "William B. Baer"]
MSTX 1367 [SRI Power Car]
??? 762 [Passenger Car]
GLC 5447 [Passenger Car]
RPCX 3125 ["PRR" Lounge Car "Paul Revere"]
SLRG 1394 [Iowa Pacific Full Dome "Prairie View"]
SLRG 551 [Iowa Pacific Full Dome "Sky View"]
GLC 1342 [Business Coach]
Location/Time:
GLC RR, Owosso, MI, Baldwin Road xing, on 6-20-14 at 8:40 EDT
Bannister, MI, Main St xing, at 9:02 EDT
Bannister, MI, M57 xing, at 9:08 EDT
Ithaca, MI, South/Maple St xing, at 9:40 EDT
Alma, MI, Ely St xing [Wyeing the train] from 9:55 to 10:55 EDT
Ithaca, MI, Center St Overpass [Photo Run-bys] at 11:22 and 11:34 EDT
Ithaca, MI, South/Maple St xing, at 11:42 EDT
Owosso, MI, along Cass St, at 13:10 EDT

Pere Marquette 1225 Train Expo Excursion
Consist [Northbound arrangement]:
PM 1225 [Lima 2-8-4 "Berkshire"]
MSTX 5000 [Auxiliary SRI Tender, ex-Rock Island]
RPCX 102 ["NYC" OHRS Coach "H. H. Wade"]
RPCX 104 ["ACL" OHRS Coach "City of Orrville"]
RPCX 106 ["SCL" OHRS Coach "Ohio Presidents"]
RPCX 103 ["W&LE" OHRS Coach "Robert S. Bixler"]
RPCX 101 ["PRR" OHRS Coach "William B. Baer"]
MSTX 1367 [SRI Power Car]
??? 762 [Passenger Car]
GLC 5447 [Passenger Car]
RPCX 3125 ["PRR" Lounge Car "Paul Revere"]
SLRG 1394 [Iowa Pacific Full Dome "Prairie View"]
SLRG 551 [Iowa Pacific Full Dome "Sky View"]
GLC 1342 [Business Coach]
Location/Time:
GLC RR [Old Ann Arbor Mainline], Owosso, MI, Main St xing, on 6-20-14 at 14:12 EDT
Carland, MI, Carland Rd xing, at 14:37 EDT
Ashley, MI, Lynn St xing, at 15:12 EDT
Ithaca, MI, Main St xing, at 15:38 EDT
Alma, MI, Tyler Rd xing, at 15:47 EDT
Alma, MI [Wyeing, various locations along Main and East Leg], from 16:00 EDT to 16:40 EDT

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Don't forget to watch our other Train Expo Specials, Episodes 360 and 361!