Steam engine to be refurbed

A World War Two-era steam engine is back on track in central Michigan. The Argus-Press says a crowd cheered Wednesday night as the Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive’s whistle sounded to announce its arrival at the train yard in Owosso. The 200-ton steam engine was built in 1941 and retired 16 years later. It was donated to Michigan State University in 1957 and moved in 1983 to the former Ann Arbor Railroad steam locomotive shop in Owosso. Producers of the 2004 movie “The Polar Express” used its blueprints as the prototype for the film’s digital train, and recorded its sounds for use in the film. A $345,000 grant through the Michigan Department of Transportation in 2009 got the $900,000 refurbishing project started.  (AP)