The real Polar Express lives here

Owosso is home to a genuine movie star: the Pere Marquette 1225, one of the great American steam locomotives, and the engine behind The Polar Express. Built in 1941 in Lima, Ohio, the 1225 hauled freight across Michigan until it was retired in 1951, then sat on display at Michigan State University. As a boy, author Chris Van Allsburg used to walk past it on his way to MSU football games — and years later it inspired his 1985 children’s book The Polar Express. When Warner Bros. made the 2004 movie, they modeled the film’s locomotive on the 1225’s own blueprints and recorded its real sounds for the soundtrack. (By a nice coincidence, the engine’s number — 1225 — reads like December 25.)

A group of MSU students rescued and restored the 1225, and since the 1980s it has lived in Owosso, where it’s owned and run by the Steam Railroading Institute. It still pulls excursion trains — most famously the North Pole Express, a holiday run from Owosso out to the village of Ashley’s Country Christmas that sells out within hours each year. (In some years the engine is down for maintenance and diesels pull the train instead, so it’s worth checking before you count on riding behind the 1225 itself.)

The Steam Railroading Institute is in Owosso (michigansteamtrain.com).