No. 1225 was to operate through May this year, when it comes due for its 15-year Federal Railroad Administration-mandated boiler inspection. However, leaky tubes uncovered during a Polar Express trip in December led the institute to sideline the locomotive early.

The group anticipated the high cost of the boiler inspection, which requires the locomotive to be stripped and the thickness of firebox sheets and boiler shell tested. To offset the costs, expected to reach into six figures, the institute sponsored Train Festival 2009 last July. The event drew 36,000 people to Owosso to see eight live steam locomotives, including 1225 and Southern Pacific 4-8-4 No. 4449 on its first Midwest visit since its nationwide tour with the American Freedom Train in 1975 and 1976.

Despite the thrill and ostensible success of the event, Gaffney said, “Train Festival’s income and expenses were very close to each other.” However, he added, “We feel that 2009 was a wonderful year, and we hope that our supporters still look to help us through these tough times.”

Going forward, the institute has applied for a federal grant that Gaffney hopes will enable the group to return to normalcy. However, even if it receives the grant, it won’t get any of the funds until October.

Gaffney said the people laid off had done their best to push the project forward. “Nothing that has happened here should reflect on the staff that has been let go,” he said.

The engine, which had been parked near the museum’s entrance gate, has been pushed into the engine house for now.

For more information on the Steam Railroading Institute, visit http://www.mstrp.com/. – Andy Cummings