Grand Trunk Western 6325

Grand Trunk Western No. 6325 was built in February 1942 by ALCO along with 24 other U-3-b 4-8-4 "Northern" locomotive (sometimes called "Confederation" locomotives) numbered 6312 through 6336 as dual service locomotives that were the last new steam power assigned to the GTW.[3] The U-3-b engines were right at home with GTW's road profile and characteristics, running almost a quarter of a million miles (400,000 km) between heavy repairs. No. 6325 could easily handle sixteen passenger cars or eighty car hotshot freights with equal ease on the Chicago division. Its forte was heavy passenger and fast freight service. All U-3-b class locomotives were known as good steamers and were liked by all engine crews and No. 6325 was no exception. On the GTW, it was the ultimate in modern steam power. In 1948, locomotive No. 6325 pulled President Harry S. Truman's campaign train across Michigan on Grand Trunk rails.[4]

Because of its historical significance, when No. 6325 was retired in 1959 it was donated to the City of Battle Creek, Michigan, for display. Its role in history is what saved it from the scrapper's torch. A fundraising campaign, led by the National Association of Power Engineers, promoted its preservation and cosmetic restoration.[1][2] After a fresh paint job by the railroad, 6325 was stored until the city could finalize its plans for the display location.[5][6] The city finalized plans for the locomotive's display location on Hall street across from the train station in May 1960.[7][8] As site preparation began, some residents protested suggesting that the site was too small; ultimately, the chosen site was used.[9][10] The locomotive was moved to its preservation site on July 9, 1960,[11][12] and a dedication ceremony was held on July 17.[13][14][note 1]

A decade later, No. 6325 had sat in static display with very little maintenance.[16] In 1985, fundraising began to restore the engine.[17] The locomotive, the siding it sat on and the fence surrounding it were all sold for $1 to 6325 Turntable, Inc., a nonprofit organization founded to restore it.[18] After moving it in October 1986 from its display location to a track at Franklin Iron & Metal Co.,[19] work soon began to restore the locomotive to operable status.[20] In 1992 the small Michigan restoration group was notified by the GTW/Canadian National railroad that 6325 would have to be moved from its current siding. With little volunteers, low money and no place to call home, the Greater Battle Creek foundation was through.

A close-up of No. 6325's headlight and numberplate

In stepped Jerry J. Jacobson of the Ohio Central Railroad System (OHCR) who purchased No. 6325 in 1993 and moved it to OHCR's steam shops at Morgan Run. But it wasn't until 1998 that restoration efforts began and on July 31, 2001, No. 6325 moved for the first time under its own power in forty-two years. It pulled its first excursion train from Dennison to Columbus, Ohio on September 22 of that year.

Some well known trips done by No. 6325 for example, were in 2002, where it pulled many regular trips as well as some photo festivals where it was coupled to a train and was run along Ohio Central's track at various places for photographs, runbys or just normal train chasing.[21] The year 2003 was a spectacular year for 6325, it pulled a few excursions but that wasn't the main event of that year, it was a huge photo festival which included 20 side by side photo runs with No. 6325 pulling a freight, and Ohio Central's ex-Canadian Pacific Railway 1293 pulling a passenger train. The year 2004 saw a huge event in Ohio Central's steam operations when "Trainfestival 2004" took place from July 30 to August 1, 2004, in Dennison, Ohio. It was a major event featuring all of their steam locomotive, some historic diesel locomotives as well as rolling stock and many more rail-related activities. No. 6325 was the star of the show; first it was parked for display then it was coupled to the passenger train for several one-hour train rides throughout the day. Then at 5 pm, it pulled a special 3-hour excursion to the OHCR Morgan Run steam shops for tours. It was operated on this schedule for all three days of the event. However in 2005, the engine was sidelined after it suffered a hot driving axle bearing issue during an excursion run, it was taken out of service indefinitely were it was previously awaiting for a complete rebuild.[3]

Since its sidelining in 2005, No. 6325 hasn't been fired up due to Ohio Central's cease in steam train operations. Jacobson sold the Ohio Central to Genesee & Wyoming in 2008, retained his vintage locomotives and began construction on a large roundhouse, the Age of Steam Roundhouse, in Sugarcreek, Ohio, in order to house his collection. As of 2022, No. 6325 remains in the museum's collection. Since No. 6325's time under steam only lasted just over three years after its full restoration was completed in 2001, the museum has said that not as much work would be required to bring the locomotive back to operational condition. However, returning No. 6325 to steam is not a priority for the museum at this time.[22]