MSURRC by Hank Truer, which were the prototype for the locomotive image, and its sounds were used in the 2004 film The Polar Express, directed by Robert Zemeckis. However, the whistle used in the film was provided by steam locomotive Sierra No. 3 of Back to the Future Part III fame, which was also directed by Zemeckis. The film was based on the Caldecott Medal winning book of the same name. The children's book was written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, who grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and as a child attended every home football game at Michigan State, next to which this engine was on static display. He recalls playing on this engine many times as a child saying, "I remember that train on campus,...I can't believe it's the same train! I climbed on that train. I actually stood on it." Appropriately enough, the locomotive's road number is the date of Christmas, 12/25. Some people claim that the 1225 was picked out by the railroad to give to MSU because the number represented Christmas Day. Chuck Julian, in speaking to Sam Chidester and Herschal Christiansen, had it revealed to him that the engine was chosen because it was the last engine on the line at New Hudson, waiting to be scrapped. It was the easiest one to get out. The number was not a consideration at all. Phil Gary, the brakeman who accompanied the engine to campus, confirmed the story. The 1225 and the other locomotives on the scrap line, sat there for many years after the railroad had stopped running steam. This was because the railroad could not scrap the engines until the liens to Detroit Bank and Trust (later to become known as Comerica), were paid off and removed. See also Pere Marquette 1223 Nickel Plate Road 765 Chesapeake and Ohio 2716 Chicago and North Western 175 - 1225's current stablemate Grand Trunk Western 6325 References Bibliography Further reading External links Steam Railroading Institute - official website of Pere Marquette 1225. 1225 2-8-4 locomotives Lima locomotives Individual locomotives of the United States National Register of Historic Places in Michigan National Register of Historic Places in Shiawassee County, Michigan Transportation in Shiawassee County, Michigan Railway locomotives on the National Register of Historic Places Railway locomotives introduced in 1941 Freight locomotives Standard gauge locomotives of the United States Rail transportation on the National Register of Historic Places