The Steam Railroading Institute is located at 405 South Washington Street, Owosso, Michigan. It was founded in 1969 as the Michigan State University (MSU) Railroad Club. It became the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, and later adopted its present name.
The Steam Railroading Institute is an organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of historical railroad equipment and items.
History[]
The Steam Railroading Institute, dedicated to educating the public about steam-era railroad technology, is the product of the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation Inc. For many years, the MSTRP centered on a single steam locomotive, former Pere Marquette Railway No. 1225. After 1225's retirement, the locomotive was donated to Michigan State University. Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Chairman Cyrus Eaton thought that the University College of Engineering ought to have a piece of real equipment to work on and convinced the MSU University Trustee Forest Akers that this was a good idea. Eaton didn't like seeing these relatively new locomotives cut up for scrap.
Situated on the site of the old Ann Arbor Railroad yard, the Steam Railroading Institute exhibits the intricacies of working steam locomotives.
Locomotive Roster[]
- Current Locomotives:
| Number | Images | Heritage | Type | Builder | Built | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1225 | 
|
Pere Marquette Railway | 2-8-4 | Lima Locomotive Works | October 1941 | Operational | The Pere Marquette 1225 is also called "The real Polar Express", due to it being the inspiration behind the steam locomotive in the legendary Christmas movie: The Polar Express. |
| 175 | 
|
Chicago and North Western Transportation Company (CNW) | 4-6-0 | American Locomotive Company | 1908 | Undergoing restoration | |
| 1313 | frameless | GE 25-ton switcher | General Electric | 1940s | Operational |
Former Locomotives:[]
| Number | Images | Heritage | Type | Builder | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | 
|
Mississippian Railway | Steam | Baldwin Locomotive Works | Under cosmetic restoration at the Oakland B&O Museum in Oakland, Maryland and renumbered as B&O No. 476. |
| 10 | frameless | Detroit and Mackinac Railway | Diesel | This engine was sold to Southern Michigan Railway Society. |