OWOSSO, Mich. — Tickets are officially on sale for the 2019 season of the North Pole Express, organized and operated by the Steam Railroading Institute (SRI)! These extremely popular excursions will once again be powered by the world-famous Pere Marquette 1225, a 1941 Berkshire type steam locomotive that is the pride and joy of the SRI collection, thus providing passengers a nostalgic journey back in time to the Christmas of yesteryear.
Departure will be from the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso for a four-hour, round trip excursion to the Village of Ashley’s Country Christmas. Passengers will enjoy a one-hour train ride each way to and from Ashley, choosing one of five different classes of service. From vintage coaches to historic cabooses, each offers a different type of comfortable accommodation and Christmas ambiance as the North Pole Express races northward! Upon arrival at the Village of Ashley, passengers will disembark for a two-hour Christmas party straight out of the past with numerous activities provided; from live entertainment to having their picture taken in front of the massive 1225. Of course, the highlight will be a VIP meeting with Santa Claus himself!
SRI is excited to announce the brand-new Adult Only Pere Marquette Parlour Class! Built in 1954 by the Budd Manufacturing Company, these Hi-Level lounge cars once served the unique El Capitan passenger train of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway from Chicago to Los Angeles. Acquired in early 2019 by the Steam Railroading Institute, the new addition to the passenger fleet will serve a first-class ambiance for an adult only market (Ages 18 or older). This includes; high-end seating, panoramic views, holiday hors d’oeuvres, sweets and cocktails available at the cash bar, and so much more!
Boarding location will be at 405 South Washington Street, Owosso, MI 48867. The North Pole Express will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, departing at 10am and 5pm each day, starting on November 16th and concluding on December 21st . Caboose: $1,550 to $1,750 for up to twelve passengers. Pere Marquette Parlour: Sofa Seating (Room for Four): $120 per passenger, Table Seating: $260 for up to two passengers, Swivel Chair Seating: $150 per passenger. Cocoa Class: $82 to $88 per passenger. Deluxe Coach: $62 to $68 per passenger. Coach: $50 to $54 per passenger.
Steam locomotive 1225 was built in October 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works for the Pere Marquette Railroad. In 1957, the locomotive was retired and donated to the Michigan State University in East Lansing for display as an outdoor artifact to commemorate the steam era. In 1969, a group of university students commenced the restoration attempt on 1225 to operational service. Work continued in 1983 when the locomotive was moved to its new home in Owosso where the restoration was completed in 1988. Today the Pere Marquette 1225 is owned, maintained and operated by the Steam Railroading Institute, and is renowned for its role in the 2004 Warner Bros. Christmas Classic, THE POLAR EXPRESS™. 1225's blueprints were used as the prototype for the locomotive image as well as its sounds to bring the train in the animated film to life!
About the Steam Railroading Institute: The Steam Railroading Institute is dedicated to educating the public about steam-era railroading. Based out of Owosso, Michigan on the grounds of the old steam shop and roundhouse of the former Ann Arbor Railroad, SRI’s mission is to preserve the knowledge, skills and technology involved with the maintenance and operation of steam locomotives and to educate the public about the enormous impact these machines had in the economic development of the Great Lakes Region. This is all possible through mainline excursions, train rides, special events, demonstrations, tours, and individual and corporate donations.
Tickets for the North Pole Express can now be purchased at MichiganSteamTrain.com or by calling (989)399-7589.
