This Berkshire steam locomotive completed it’s test run on 3-25.It pulled a GP50 from Fort Wayne,Indiana to Van Wert,Ohio and back.This was on the Chicago,Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad.
From Altamont Press:
Historic locomotive steams back into action
On Saturday, historic steam locomotive No. 765 ran its first mainline trip, capping a 10-year rebuilding effort by the volunteer members of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. A series of “break-in” runs was held between Fort Wayne, IN and Van Wert, OH, on the tracks of the Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad.
The locomotive performed flawlessly, according to a news release from the society. Rich Melvin, the society’s operations officer who ran the 765, said in a statement, “The 765 has never run better than it did (last) weekend. The overhaul is an unqualified success. The engine’s performance is a shining testimony to the men and women of our all-volunteer crew.”
The runs were not announced publicly for a number of reasons — one of which was the request of the railroads involved — but from Indiana to Ohio, townspeople flocked to the tracks at the sound of the locomotive’s characteristic whistle.
The 765 had spent the early part of its retirement in Lawton Park in downtown Fort Wayne, and after years of exposure to the elements, the society formed to restore the locomotive to operating condition.
In 1979, five years after being removed from the park, the 765 was successfully moved under its own power for the first time in 21 years.
For the next 14 years, the locomotive would become a roving historic landmark, bringing the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone era to more than 1 million passengers and people who watched trackside.
More than 13,000 volunteer hours were donated and more than $700,000 spent to return the 765 to the way it looked and operated in the service of the Nickel Plate Railroad from 1944 to 1958.
The effort was made possible by a grant and the support and cooperation of private individuals, governments and corporations.
The society plans continue to build relationships with railroads
Well, welcome back NKP 765[#welcome]. Hopefully they will find a willing host for trips and /or photo freights![:p][yeah]
…That is great news for 765 and for those of us who would so much like to see and hear her run again. She has been here in Muncie, In. many times back in the '80’s and it sure would be nice to see her return again.
Anyone out there have any info if that could once again become a possibility…?
…and who could forget 765’s brief but unforgettable appearance in Woody Allen’s Bullets over Broadway?
Hats off to FWRHS, they are a first class operation.
According to an e-mail I got from their public relations officer this past week, all information will be posted on their website 765.org.
Wouldn’t hurt for you to e-mail them and let them know you are interested…
I was out there a few weeks ago and gave er a close look over.
Mighty sweet indeed. They have put a lot of work into that engine.
Hopefully Rail America will let them run on their tracks that gives alot of possiblities for trackage here alone in the midwest.
Isn’t that the engine that is gonna be featured in classic trains magazine, soon?
matt and i saw her after the restoration last fall.cant wait too see her get out again.
stay safe
Joe
AntiGates: I’ll check out that email and drop the 765 group a note…They would have first class track to run on from Ft. Wayne down to Muncie on NS…{if it would be allowed}.
They have brought hundreds of fans into Muncie as I noted back in the 80’s…Their visits were great. I took pictures of that engine many years ago when it was enclosed with a chain link fence there in some park in Ft. Wayne, long before it became famous. The problem is I haven’t located those old black and whites for a long time now…I know I still have them someplace with the hundreds of prints here…
Most likely, that engine won’t get anywhere near Muncie, Modelcar. NS wouldn’t let the engine run under its own power to get to the CF&E. I doubt you’ll see that engine charging across the Nickel Plate anytime soon.
A Classic engine[NKP765], and a Class Act Group [Ft Wayne Historical Society].
You can’t do anything but wi***hem “Good Luck, and Safe Running.”[bow][bow][bow]
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Sam
Thomas, NKP 765 will be featured in both Trains and Classic Trains in coming weeks. Best, Jim Wrinn
ValleyX…What a shame…but it’s not a surprise to me as operations are now.
Times and conditions sure have changed from the '80’s…Back then, in addition to having 765 here we also hosted 587, 1218, and of course the famous 611. Two of them on one day. And, {on it’s way through to another destination}, 759…! All the rest listed above were here on a visit with a string of loaded passenger cars. Also from Noblesville, their beautiful red…believe they’re E-8’s…with a passenger consist. Got to see them all…exception: 1218, and I really wanted to catch it but work interferred.