NKP 765 Tapped for Norfolk Southern 30th Anniversary

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 949

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society is proud to announce that restored Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765 has been tapped to help celebrate Norfolk Southern's 30th Anniversary. The locomotive will pull a special business train, operating out of the railroad's terminals in Fort Wayne, Elkhart, and Muncie, Indiana as well as in Bellevue and Toledo, Ohio.

Created in 1982 with the merger of the Southern Railway and Norfolk and Western Railway, the railway operates 20,000 miles in 22 states with 28,000 employees. As part of its celebration, Norfolk Southern is honoring its corporate heritage by painting 18 of its locomotives in historic paint schemes that commemorate the dozens of railroad companies that were eventually merged into the system Norfolk Southern presently operates. Included will be a vintage livery that pays homage to the New York, Chicago & St. Louis or Nickel Plate Road, the railroad that the 765 was originally built for.

Founded in 1972, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc will also be celebrating its own 40th Anniversary in 2012. The railroad historical society was the first all volunteer, non-profit to restore and operate a mainline steam locomotive after removing no. 765 from Fort Wayne's Lawton Park in 1974 and rehabilitating it to operating condition in 1979. The 1944-built locomotive has traveled over 50,000 miles in public exhibition and excursion service and was recently rebuilt in 2005.

http://fortwaynerailroad.org
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tim o'm · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:48 pm

Hey now! That is great news, Kelly! I was just discussing with a friend earlier tonight about the possibility of big steam in the East this year. I will have to pass word on to him. Best of luck in your travels.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:36 am

Do we have dates yet, or are the details still being worked on?

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 949

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

Do we have dates yet, or are the details still being worked on?

If the dates were locked in, they would definitely be included in the initial release. We're likely looking at a summer time frame.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6485

Kelly -

Great news! Congrats to the FtWRHS.

Les

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:03 am

Wonderful, wonderful!

What year is it? 1966 and the 4501 comes back? 1969 and the Golden Spike Limited?

Maybe there's hope yet for steam up the New River again? :-)

S. Weaver · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:23 am

Congrats, Kelly. Your perseverance and hardwork have paid off.

co614 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:06 am

Congratulations to the 765 team. Best wishes for trouble free trips and lots of fast running!!

Ross Rowland

Jim Herron · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:51 pm

Congratulations to the FWHS and the 765 team! Also congratulations to NS for recognizing the value of steam power!

-Jim Herron

bigjim4life · **Posted:** Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:48 am

Congratulations indeed! Let's hope Eastern Pennsylvania will be on 765's horizon soon as well! ;)