By Railfan & Railroad Staff

An SW1200 that was once used to move coal at a power plant in Michigan has been donated to the Steam Railroading Institute. 

In December, SRI — which owns and operates Pere Marquette 2-8-4 1225 — announced that Consumers Energy had donated EMD switcher 1200 to the non-profit. SRI plans on using the locomotive for switching at its Owosso yard and possibly in excursion service. 

“The Steam Railroading Institute is very pleased and excited to accept this donation from Consumers Energy. This locomotive will join our Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive in excursion service and will tremendously help in moving our vintage passenger coaches around our railyard for demonstrations and train excursion prep work. SRI will proudly display and operate this locomotive and use it as a great teaching tool to help explain the transition era from steam to diesel locomotives.”

Before being donated to SRI, the switcher was renumbered 1155, which pays homage to Lima Locomotive Works’ number designation given to the group of steam locomotives ordered by the Pere Marquette in 1941. The switcher had spent years moving coal cars at Consumers Energy’s Essexville, Mich., plant. 

“At Consumers Energy we believe in leaving things better than we found them, and when it comes to decommissioning facilities, we strive to make thoughtful and intentional choices about what to do with retired equipment,” said Cathy Wilson, Executive Director of corporate giving for Consumers Energy. “This is especially true for pieces like this locomotive, which may have reached the end of its career moving coal at Karn, but will be of incredible historical and educational value. We look forward to seeing the Steam Railroading Institute put it to excellent use.”

SRI operates excursions on the Great Lakes Central Railroad with PM 1225. The locomotive recently returned to service after extensive running gear work.