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 as an icon of the steam-era and there it sat until 1969 when a group of students took an interest in the locomotive. The Michigan State University Railroad Club was formed with the ambitious goal of restoring 1225 and using it to power excursion trains that would bring passengers to football games at the university. After toiling away at the locomotive for many years, the Michigan State University Railroad Club evolved as the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation and started its corporate run in July of 1979. Recognizing the daunting task that was ahead of them, the early MSU students saw the necessity to form a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation and in 1981, Michigan State University donated 1225 to the newly formed MSTRP.

In the past thirty-five years the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation and its Steam Railroading Institute have grown tremendously, now housing three steam locomotives, a fleet of passenger cars, and numerous pieces of rolling stock.

Situated on the site of the old Ann Arbor Railroad’s steam shops and roundhouse, the Steam Railroading Institute offers visitors a firsthand look at the intricacies of working steam locomotives.

Our Mission Statement

"The Steam Railroading Institute uses historic railroad practices and demonstrations to educate and entertain visitors about the lure of steam railroading. The Institute engages visitors with interactive experiences and hands-on learning opportunities that reveal the importance of steam railroading and the effects this industry had on our heritage."

"The Steam Railroading Institute accomplishes this with first-person interaction, behind-the-scenes tours, quality excursion services, sound maintenance practices, and genuine hospitality to our guests. "

The SRI Heritage in Brief

Fall 1969: MSU Railroad Club is formed after student Steve Reeves uses an open letter in the State News to rally other rail history buffs

Spring 1970: At a meeting of the East Lansing club, a bold idea flourishes: restore former PM 1225 to operating condition

April 1971: Members begin dismantling 1225, donated to MSU in 1957 and displayed next to Spartan Stadium as a monument to the age of steam

November 1972: 1225’s boiler is filled and checked for leaks under pressure in first hydrostatic test

January 1975: Repairs bring first successful hydrostatic test of locomotive’s boiler

October 1975: 1225 is fired up in stationary test

February 1976: Search begins for larger permanent display site

July 1979: Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, Inc. is set up as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation

May 1981: 1225 is donated to MSTRP by MSU and moved just off campus

February 1983: 1225 is moved to former Ann Arbor Railroad steam locomotive shop in Owosso, MI and leased as corporate headquarters

November 1985: 1225 chugs down the track under its own power for the first time in 34 years

September 1988: 1225 makes 12 mile trial runs between Owosso and Chesaning

October 1988: MSTRP operates first excursion trains

August 1991: 1225 goes to Huntington, WV for the National Railway Historical Society’s annual convention.

August 1992: Canadian National (CN) railroad donates machine tools for further restoration work

August 1993: Extensive repairs are finished on the boiler syphons and 90-square-foot firebox

September 1993: “Engineer for and Hour” program starts as a visitor attraction and way to raise money and fulfill the mission statement: To educate the public of steam era railroad technology…

March 1995: 1225 is listed on National Register of Historic Structures

December 1996: MSTRP acquires Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad combine and CN Burro crane

January 2000: Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, Inc. founds the Steam Railroading Institute (SRI)

June 2000: SRI acquires Pere Marquette 90 foot diameter (later lengthened to 100 foot) turntable (built 1919 by the American Bridge Co.) from New Buffalo, MI

December 2000: Two display rail cars are unveiled at grand opening of SRI

July 2002: Warner Brothers arranges to use 1225’s image in “The Polar Express,” an animated feature based on the children’s Christmas story book of the same name, premiering in theaters in November 2004.

July 2002: Restored Flagg Coal Company 0-4-0T #75 steam locomotive comes to SRI

February 2003: SRI buys Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway Co. site in the Owosso yard for its permanent home and visitor center

June 12-13, 2004: Grand opening weekend for SRI visitor center

April 2005: Steam Railroading Institute purchases 2-8-0 #76 from the Ohio Central Railroad.

May 27, 2006: SRI begins regular weekend passenger excursions to West Owosso behind Flagg Coal Company #75.

December 2006: PM 1225’s overhaul was completed just in time for the North Pole Express, returning to service in the best shape it has seen in a long time. SRI volunteers finished re-plumbing the locomotive in September, and the final phase of the project, installing the superheater units, was completed in November.

April 2007: Pere Marquette #1225 hauls first ever "Photo Freight."