SAGINAW, Mich. — Lake State Railway on Thursday (Aug. 21, 2025) unveiled a new heritage locomotive honoring the predecessor Pere Marquette Railway.
Lake State Supervisor of Yard Operations Travis Vongrey, a second-generation railroader with the company, developed the concept and design for the “Spirit of Pere Marquette,” newly acquired SD70M No. 6437, one of eight such locomotives on the roster. Chris Rund assisted in researching colors and the final design and layout of the paint scheme.
“The Pere Marquette legacy lives on as our team of talented railroaders continue to connect Michigan industry with North America, just as the PM did a century ago,” Lake State CEO Mike Stickel told Trains.com. “Travis did a fantastic job capturing the Pere Marquette legacy with this paint scheme.”
The Pere Marquette operated from 1900 to 1947, when it was absorbed into the Chesapeake & Ohio, serving six states (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New York, and — by ferry — Wisconsin), as well as the province of Ontario; a short history of the railroad from Classic Trains is available here. The Pere Marquette is remembered throughout Michigan, Lake State notes, through Amtrak’s Chicago-Grand Rapids train bearing the railroad name; a 30-mile trail along part of its former right-of-way; and Pere Marquette No. 1225, the Lima 2-8-4 locomotive built for the railroad in 1941 and now operated by the Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso, Mich.
The 375-mile Lake State Railway operates on former Pere Marquette trackage between Plymouth, Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland, Mich.; the railroad says the locomotive honors the railroad’s role in building “the industrial might of Michigan, and we are grateful for all of the railroaders who have worked in our yards, locomotive and car shops, and on the main lines since the 1800s.
Lake State RR fleet already had one of the best paint schemes around, and this one is definitely the topping on the cake! Kudo’s to the entire Lake State management and staff for running one of the best regional railroads in North America!