Pere Marquette gave up steam in the very early 1950s. This engine sat rotting for many years on display until a few college kids took up the cause of making it run again. The kids turned middle age in the process, but today it is one of the few mainline steamers still running and the only one I know of that, on occasion, you can pay to learn how to operate. They have wisely decided not to beat it to death on long distance excursions, so hopefully it will stay operable for a while.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=30136
ryarger@rypn.org

> Pere Marquette gave up steam in the very
> early 1950s. This engine sat rotting for
> many years on display until a few college
> kids took up the cause of making it run
> again. The kids turned middle age in the
> process, but today it is one of the few
> mainline steamers still running and the only
> one I know of that, on occasion, you can pay
> to learn how to operate. They have wisely
> decided not to beat it to death on long
> distance excursions, so hopefully it will
> stay operable for a while.

And you all thought nothing good could come from a college education. Pa-shaw!

TJ


tjgaffney@phmuseum.org