The Steam Railroading Institute is a museum dedicated to educating the public about steam-era railroad technology. It is home to Pere Marquette 1225 (PM1225), the locomotive used to create the images and sound for the movie "The Polar Express." Locomotive 1225 is one of only two large steam locomotives to survive in Michigan and the only one still running. It is also one of only half a dozen of the last generation of steam locomotives still operating nationwide. Built in 1941, it operated between Toledo, Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, and Chicago until 1951. After 1957, it was displayed by Michigan State University Museum, and in 1988 it was restored to operation in Owosso by the Steam Railroading Institute.
