The Pere Marquette 1223 is a steam locomotive on permanent display in Grand Haven, Michigan. She is one of two surviving Pere Marquette 2-8-4 "Berkshire" type locomotives. No parts from 1223 were used to restore sister engine No. 1225 to operating condition, due to the objections of the Michigan Railroad Club, then unofficial custodians of the engine. The MSU Railroad Club did hold some successful fundraising events at the 1223 during the State Fair. That money was used in the restoration of the 1225.
History
Built in 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works for $90,000, 1223 hauled freight between Toledo and Chicago in the years immediately before and after World War II. When Pere Marquette was absorbed by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, 1223 was assigned number 2657 but never had the new number applied. The locomotive was not paid off at the time and the merger agreement stated that equipment still under trust was to remain in Pere Marquette livery. 1223 was retired from service in 1951. After retirement, 1223 was moved to New Buffalo, Michigan to be scrapped. However she was repainted and moved in 1960 for display at the state fairgrounds in Detroit. The money for that was provided by the donations collected by school children around the Detroit Area. In 1980, Michigan state fair officials wanted to expand the grandstands but 1223 stood in the way. The city of Grand Haven won the bidding process. With the help of the Michigan National Guard as well as Grand Trunk Western and Chessie System railroads, 1223 was moved to Grand Haven on September 1, 1981. The 1223 was cosmetically restored in 1982. Considering the number of years that it has stood out in the elements, it would be an expensive and time-consuming project to restore it to operation. Such a restoration is unlikely since sister locomotive #1225 has been restored to operating condition. 1223 was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 7, 2000. Unfortunately on February 28th, 2020 The locomotive was vandalized by vandals.
