Nickel Plate 765
| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Lima Locomotive Works |
| Build date | September 8, 1944 |
| Configuration | 2-8-4 |
| UIC classification | 1-D-2h |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Leading wheel size | 33 in diameter |
| Driver size | 69 in diameter |
| Trailing wheel size | 43 in diameter |
| Length | 100 ft 8.75 in |
| Height | 15 ft 8 in |
| Weight on drivers | 264,300 lb |
| Total weight | 440,800 lb |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 802,500 lb |
| Fuel type | coal |
| Tender capacity | 22 tons coal, 22000 gallons water |
| Boiler | 89.0625 in diameter × 42 ft length |
| Boiler pressure | 245 psi |
| Superheater type | Elesco |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Cylinder size | 25in diameter × 34 in stroke |
| Top speed | 70 miles per hour |
| Tractive effort | 64,100 lbf |
| Career | Nickel Plate Road |
| Class | S-2 |
| Number in class | 11 |
| Number | 765 |
| Retired | May 4, 1963 |
| Restored | September 8, 1979 |
| Current owner | Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, New Haven, Indiana |
| Disposition | Operable at New Haven, Indiana |
Nickel Plate Road 765 is a 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Original career
The 765 was first assigned to Bellevue, Ohio, where it was used primarily on the Nickel Plate's fast freight trains. After the war, she worked primarily out of a classification yard in the east side of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her last run came only fourteen years after her construction on June 14, 1958.
Retirement
Upon the decline of steam power, the Nickel Plate Road offered to donate a steam locomotive to the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana for display in Lawton Park. The city asked for S-2 767 because the 767 had officially opened the city's cross-town elevation project in 1955. Unfortunately, while sister engine 765 had been stored in the East Wayne engine house for the first part of its time after its last run, the 767 was stored outside and in far worse condition. Consequently, the Nickel Plate secretly switched the numbers, donated the disguised 765 on May 4, 1963, and scrapped the 767.
After many years of sitting outdoors, exposed to the elements, the 765 began to detoriate. Then in 1972, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) was formed, and began a campaign to save and restore the locomotive. In September of 1974, the engine was leased to the FWRHS and towed by the Penn Central and the N&W to New Haven, Indiana.
Restoration
On October 25, 1975, the "767" was returned to its original number and restoration began. Through fundraising efforts, and many hours of volunteer labor, the group succeeded in returning 765 to service on September 1, 1979.
Excursion period
Between 1979 and 1993 the 765 became quite famous, pulling 100,000 passengers over about 52,000 miles of special excursions in sixteen U.S. states east of the Mississippi River.
The FWRHS gained ownership of the engine in 1985.
In late 1993, the engine was briefly relettered and renumbered to C&O 2765. After completing her excursion season in 1993, 765 was rolled into the FWRHS' shop building in New Haven to be overhauled. Originally, the overhaul work was supposed to be focused on the running gear, but it was later decided to perform a full rebuild of the locomotive. The 765's second restoration started in 2001.
The future
After countless man hours, thousands of volunteer dollars, and a lot of sweat, blood and tears, the 765 was steamed back up on the last weekend of October 2005. The Fort Wayne Historical Society held an open house for members to get a look at their re-born engine. In March 2006, test runs were held on the CF&E to break in the bearings on the refurbished locomotive. The 765 was tested with a limited consist, and with a simulated train load provided by a GP40's dynamic breaks. The engine performed flawlessly, and the FWRHS is poised to operate the locomotive on fan trips later in the year. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the FWRHS, one of the East's most famous excursion engines has another lease on life, and has a bright future ahead of her.
External links
References
"765 Official History" by Glenn Brendel & Wayne York. Published Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc.
