HOME | DD

RattlerJones [2019-04-10 22:46:00 +0000 UTC]

Back in September 8, 1944 before the end of WWII, one of Nickel Plate's locomotives #765 steamed out of the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio. 
It was one of eighty 2-8-4 Berkshires built for high speed freight and passenger service on the NKP between 1934 and 1949. 
Like its sister locomotives, the 765 stood under sixteen feet tall and stretched about over a hundred feet in length with an enlarged firebox and boiler pressure of 245 psi while it saddled on 69 inch drivers. 
This made the locomotive a speeding powerhouse on rails that produced 4,500 horsepower at the coupler plus a maximum speed of 70 mph; a exact principle of the Lima super power design horsepower at speed. 
One day into the late 50's, a decline in freight traffic and the acquisition of diesel-powered locomotives pushed the 765 into the sideline from service. 
Its last revenue run came in June 14, 1958 until re-fired for the final straw in December due to a stranded passenger train, providing steam heat as the only operating Berkshire on the NKP. 
After that, having stored out of service since the latest 50's, the 765 was put on display in 1963 at Lawton Park in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. 
In 1974, the newly-formed Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society moved the old Berkshire to New Haven, Indiana to undergo restoration into operating condition. 
In September 1st, 1979 only one week shy of its 35th birthday, the 765 made its move under its own power for the 1st time in 21 years. 
Having restored and rebuilt to operating condition outdoors without the acquirement of overhead cranes and heavy machinery, the 765 was the ultimate star on the rails over the next 13 years, accumulating over 50,000 miles on the road hauling excursion trains which included many trips for the Southern Steam Program, the New River Gorge excursions and for NRHS conventions. 
In 1991 while attending to the National Railway Historical Society convention at Huntington, West Virginia, the 765 paired up with its Pere Marquette cousin; no. 1225 from Owosso, Michigan.
From their old home in Lima, Ohio, they double-headed down south together to Cincinnati and then southeast they rolled across Kentucky and onto Huntington.
Between 2001 and 2006 though, the 765 went through the overhaul inspection to blueprint specs before returning on the high-iron for further excursions to participate. 
More recently in 2016, the locomotive's mars headlight was added to create its original appearance in the early days before dieselization.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0