Twelve Twenty-Five: The Life and Times of a Steam Locomotive

For a used book, I am very happy. A few small rips rs in the dust jacket. MY wife carefully taped from the backside and now they are almost invisible.I bought to book to read it, but will proudly display it on my coffee table as a conversation piece.

The story isn’t related first person, which was a good choice by, Keefe, the author even though he was certainly on hand during the engine’s rebirth as a MSU student and Project 1225 member. The subtitle, Life and Times of a Steam Locomotive, fits precisely in context developed as the story unfolds.The collection of superb photographs have been reprinted sharply as outstanding records to serve the story’s action. The variety of photographic backgrounds— including trackside elements, principle buildings, bridges, often adding drama with atmospheric conditions are far from being static. Keefe does provide enough facts and figures, but the story is far from being bogged down with numerical data. The inclusive material about steam Locomotive designer, Wm Woodward, and the Lima Locomotive Works that produced such Super Power helps set the stage for 1225. Individuals that were principle players in the Locomotive’s rebirth provide human interest.Admittedly, I reserved and borrowed a copy of the book a few times from my local library over the past few years. I decided to secure my own copy in order to peruse portions periodically without ever returning it to a book bin. The story never becomes stale, or lends itself as a “one time read.”The Bookseller, ohiobook on Amazon Marketplace, listed the used book’s condition as “Like New.” My book arrived carefully wrapped and boxed in pristine condition— even the jacket is crisp without so much as a hairline crimp.

This book was a blast! If you enjoy history and learning then this is a great introduction to the history of railroads. It gives enough detail to satisfy informed rail fans, but if you are a "layman" like myself it is wonderful getting the big picture as the author walks you through the advent of railroads and the key technological developments that culminated in the great steam locomotives of the early 20th century. It feels like a distant era now, in part because it vanished with the advent of diesel power as suddenly as the dinosaurs did when the comet hit. What makes this book so unique and fascinating is that it ultimately focuses on the fate of one lone dinosaur/locomotive stationed on a detached rail spur outside the Michigan State University stadium. The story of how it got there and how it got restored against seemingly impossible odds - and even became a movie star! - was so intriguing that I read through the book in one afternoon. There are only a half dozen of the big ones around that are still functioning, and this one has to be the most improbable of all. DISCLAIMER: the author has been a lifelong friend, so I have been well aware of his fascination with trains. I was even aware of his involvement in the 1225 project at MSU but I never realized how utterly extraordinary this story was until I was able to place it all in perspective with this book. I know enough history to know that the best stories are the ones that, if included in a work of fiction, would make you say, "Awww, that would never happen!" And yet it did. It is the same with the story of 1225. Take a ride ... you won't be disappointed!

Although some aspects of the restoration of #1225 had been covered in "Trains" magazine many years ago, author Keefe has created a more telling narrative, especially the locomotive's long chronology from scrap line to full operation, thanks to the dedication of key people. I was also intrigued from a regional perspective. I live in NE Ohio and have seen NKP #765, a Berkshire sibling to #1225, several times over the last 30+ years and have always been impressed at the solid design the Advisory Mechanical Committee achieved. Simply a great read.

This is a very interesting steam locomotive restoration book. Highly recommended!.

Very much enjoyed the book. Mr. Keefe did a superb job detailing the history of this engine. Lot's of good illustrations. This history is expecially meaningful to me as I grew up with the Pere Marquette/C&O/CSX railroad in my 'back yard'. I remember well the sights and sounds of the PM 1200's pounding up the grade out of Grand Rapids on the route to Detroit.

I bought this for my best friend. He loves train books. This one he didnt have. Now he has it and got a lot of enjoyment out of it. Learned all he wanted to know about the Pere Marquette 1225.

This is how a good story about machinery is told--thru the people whose efforts kept a dream alive to get the 1225 back among the living. Railfans have written many books about steam locomotives, but few have captured the human element so beautifully in words and pictures. This book ranks up there with Morgan's "Locomotive 4501"--perhaps the all-classic of this genre.

Interesting book, beautifully printed. The black and white photographs particularly jump off the page. It is very well laid out often with full page photos.