PERE MARQUETTE 1225 North Pole Express (12/21/13)

[@mjfindlay1968]

Thank you so much for sharing this. My heart just jumps out of my chest when I hear her..

[@PereMarquette1223]

Wow my first video over 5,000 views! Thanks a lot for the views guys! 1223 out! Don't forget to check out the 2014 NPE video as well on my channel for a more up to date video of 1225!

[@GPVlog]

I am curious. Why do they have Diesels run with the Steamers during the excursion? Now I know based on the date of this video the 1225 was just getting back on her feet but I have done these excursions several times and there is always a diesel about a quarter mile back trailing the steamer. My guess has always been that they use it as a backup in case the steamer broke down but someone else mentioned that the steamer is not capable of pulling a full load on its own.

[@PereMarquette1223]

1225 could pull that entire train by itself. It could probably outpull all the diesels on GLC's roster. It pulled an 80 car grain train back in 2009 and she was not in good shape before the rebuild. The diesel is for the return trip because there is no where to turn the train and no way to put 1225 on the rear in Ashley. GLC doesn't mind putting a diesel and crew on these runs, as GLC loves the guys at SRI and 1225. She has 300 miles track that GLC lets them do basically whatever they want on.

[@GPVlog]

Makes sense, thanks for the reply. I never realized the Diesel was pulling the train on the return trip.

[@PereMarquette1223]

Yup. Also saves them fuel on both ends during a push pull operation

[@ldever3]

I read someplace that current laws require at least two engines for all trains traveling on mainline track, so if one breaks down, it doesn't block the track.

[@PereMarquette1223]

Should be no law on that because I got a train on film a few weeks ago with one locomotive. Two locomotives are the norm for normal operations for the desired amount of horsepower, and if one breaks down, but that doesn't usually mean that two are required.

[@RailyardProductions]

Glad to see their working the gremlins out of her before our March 15th 2014 Return to Rails excursion.

[@PereMarquette1223]

Wow, 7,000 views! Thanks guys!

[@venedratalley3720]

Hi my name is jace your videos is great keep up the great work

[@PereMarquette1223]

Holy cow nearly 6,000 views and this is now officially the most viewed video on my channel! The previous record holder held that title for 3 years! Thanks a lot everyone! 1223 OUT!

[@CSXEMDTrainLover]

nice video and great catch of the steam train.

[@charlesdell2864]

Great video

[@JAILRail]

Foaming O_o 0 o O

[@TehBellcarl]

Aw why'd they move the numbers back down to the headlight?

[@PereMarquette1223]

They haven't decided whether to put the flying number boards back on yet or not. This was just for temporary measures. Whether this is permenent is TBD. The final appearance will be shown on the March 15th excursion, when all the cosmetic work and mechanical work that was being handled during these runs will be completed.

[@sebastianfloyd372]

@@PereMarquette1223 PM 1225 and 2 diesel locomotives helpers right?

[@PereMarquette1223]

Over 8,500 views! Lets hit 10,000!

[@peterlv68]

What was wrong with the stoker?

[@PereMarquette1223]

Well it started when the 1225 had a minor derailment in the yard about a week ago due to a rail that split. The trailing truck turned so much that it forced one side of the cab right onto the tender, and the guys at SRI think that the stoker was affected by the trailing truck turning to far. On the evening run on 12/20/13, the guys noticed that the stoker screw was having difficulty turning, and then finally the stoker got caught on a large piece of coal. The guys tried to free the stoker but in the process possibly burned out the stoker motor or did somthing else that killed the stoker temporarily. On 12/20/13 the guys had to shovel the rest of the way into Ashley, which resulted in four stokers in the cab (!) and they kept the berk going! So after the last runs today and a month off from SRI, the guys are going to have to separate the tender from the locomotive again and take apart the stoker.

[@PereMarquette1223]

9,000 views!

[@RailyardProductions]

Ride the Real Polar Express! We are having our excursion again March 14 2015. Railyard Productions Return to Clare excursion with The Real Polar Express Pere Marquette 1225. railyardproductions.com