By Railfan & Railroad Staff

OWOSSO, Mich. — The Steam Railroading Institute has launched a new capital campaign to raise money for the restoration of Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 “Ten-Wheeler” 175. 

On Monday, the non-profit, which also owns restored Pere Marquette 2-8-4 1225, announced that it had secured grant money from the federal Transportation Alternatives Program to cover about half of the projected $1 million restoration and that it was trying to raise about $400,000 from the public. So far about $70,000 has been raised. 

When the locomotive is restored, it will run alongside PM 1225, officials with SRI said. 

Locomotive 175 was built in 1908 and served on the C&NW until the 1950s. It was later sent to a Michigan tourist railroad but never operated there. At some point the locomotive had its C&NW tender replaced with a Northern Pacific one, which it still has today. In 2018, the locomotive was purchased by SRI and it was moved from Hancock to Owosso, Mich. 

Visit SRI’s website for more information and to learn how you can donate to the restoration.