Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
In January of 2026, Lerro Photography hosted a winter photo charter with Pere Marquette 1225 re-lettered and renumbered as Chesapeake & Ohio 2699. The real 2699 started its life as Pere Marquette Class N Berkshire number 1215. When the Pere Marquette merged with the Chesapeake & Ohio in 1947, only locomotives that were fully paid off by the Pere Marquette would be repainted and renumbered for the Chesapeake & Ohio. The Class N Berkshires were the first of three classes of Berkshires built for the Pere Marquette and were the only class fully paid of. As a result, Pere Marquette Berkshires 1201 through 1215 became Chesapeake & Ohio 2685 through 2699.
For this charter, 2699 was the engine chosen to be recreated as it was one of, if not the only Berkshire to receive the Chesapeake & Ohio For Progress logo on the tender. The 2699 was also equipped with a Chesapeake & Ohio Long Bell 3 Chime from L-2 Hudson number 307 for the weekend; however, the real 2699 would likely have continued wearing its Nathan 6 Chime from the Pere Marquette.
For two days, the 2699 put on a spectacular show pulling its 9-car passenger train through the fields of Michigan in very cold and very windy weather. With hard-working, fast runbys, the 2699 allowed for many great photos and videos to be captured, making for a wonderful weekend of winter steam.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Pere Marquette 1225 working hard through the snowy fields of Michigan dressed up as Chesapeake & Ohio 2699.
This video was filmed on Friday, January 16, Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Filmed & Edited by Mark Turkovich
This film may not be reproduced or redistributed in any manner.
©MPT Productions 2026
In January of 2026, Lerro Photography hosted a winter photo charter with Pere Marquette 1225 re-lettered and renumbered as Chesapeake & Ohio 2699. The real 2699 started its life as Pere Marquette Class N Berkshire number 1215. When the Pere Marquette merged with the Chesapeake & Ohio in 1947, only locomotives that were fully paid off by the Pere Marquette would be repainted and renumbered for the Chesapeake & Ohio. The Class N Berkshires were the first of three classes of Berkshires built for the Pere Marquette and were the only class fully paid of. As a result, Pere Marquette Berkshires 1201 through 1215 became Chesapeake & Ohio 2685 through 2699.
For this charter, 2699 was the engine chosen to be recreated as it was one of, if not the only Berkshire to receive the Chesapeake & Ohio For Progress logo on the tender. The 2699 was also equipped with a Chesapeake & Ohio Long Bell 3 Chime from L-2 Hudson number 307 for the weekend; however, the real 2699 would likely have continued wearing its Nathan 6 Chime from the Pere Marquette.
For two days, the 2699 put on a spectacular show pulling its 9-car passenger train through the fields of Michigan in very cold and very windy weather. With hard-working, fast runbys, the 2699 allowed for many great photos and videos to be captured, making for a wonderful weekend of winter steam.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Pere Marquette 1225 working hard through the snowy fields of Michigan dressed up as Chesapeake & Ohio 2699.
This video was filmed on Friday, January 16, Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Filmed & Edited by Mark Turkovich
This film may not be reproduced or redistributed in any manner.
©MPT Productions 2026
