Does anybody have any new information on the progress on NKP 2-8-2 587 in Noblesville, Indiana? The ITM website has an update from June 2009. Sounded like lots of firebox work was well underway with more riveting in the throatsheet area next on the agenda necessitating dropping the No.4 set of drivers. Any news would be welcome.

Rob Gardner

Bump

I copied this from another railfan posting page, I cannot verify the comments contained herein, nor do I have a verified name associated with the posting, so with those caviats in mind...



"I’m closely involved with the restoration of NKP 587 and I think I can supply the information that everyone is looking for. NKP 587 will not run on this year’s Fairtain. I would love to see her out for the ITM’s 50th anniversary, but there is just too much work to accomplish for this year. There is still some fire box work to finish this summer. PLUS there is some boiler work and dry pipe to install. PLUS tube sheets, tubes and flues to install. PLUS re-install all of the pipes, pumps and tanks. PLUS new lagging and jacket to prep and paint, lettering and interior cab work to be finished. Not to mention there is some work to be done on the tender. This is just a glancing look at all that needs to be done."

Would be nice if we could get someone from ITM to comment on this work needed to be done on the 2-8-2, and the planned schedule.

depending how diligent the work is, your looking at months of time or better, a year or so before its in action.

They responded to my request for an update on FB by saying "they're working on it". Hopefully we're hear something soon.

Rob Gardner

Here some recent stuff on Nickel Plate Road 587:

Moving 587 Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhSCWIbWk-Q

RR Pictures Archive:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPi ... 487&Page=5

Enjoy! ^_^

yea, sounds like the way restoration goes...

IRM is working on 2 steamers, one is a 2-10-0, the other a shay, I believe the 2-10-0 has been hydrostatic tested a few times with the FRA inspectors looking and saying this and that need to be fixed, you get an expectation yea rah, then uhtoh, more work...and so it goes restoring a steamer. They hope it will be operable next summer, its that close to ready.

IRM is actually working on three. The Frisco 2-10-0 mentioned has been IRM's operational engine for years but was down for about 5 years due to the need for driving box and tire work on the rear drivers (due to it running 50% of its mileage in reverse with no trailing truck to guide), which led to ashpan door issues while working in that area. With it out of operation for so long the FRA wanted to see a hydro (and inspect the boiler interior) and long term disuse resulted in a few leaks here and there and a stuck air pump valve. It's not unreasonable to expect operation next season but as with all things steam, there are no guarantees. But it should be good to go.

The Shay (which was operational within my memory) is being retubed.

The long term project is a UP 2-8-0 similar to the one at Heber. This has been worked on for something like 20 years, the last 10 in earnest. Boiler work is pretty much done. It was fired up for the first modern time last year and it has passed a hydro test. Running gear to follow so it's still years away from operation.

I'm sure they'd appreciate if I pointed out that I do not speak for them whatsoever.

Steve

Well, after requesting some updates from ITM regarding 587, lo and behold, I happened to passing through Indy a couple weeks ago on a very nice sunny Saturday and detoured by the museum. I had no idea how nice a setting they have in Forest Park adjacent to a very nice county park. Bob Gold and crew were in the shop and we got a very nice tour of the restoration which is fousing primarily on the firebox and boiler repairs. The two lower front inside corner patches are cut out and prepped but not yet installed. Staybolt work is ongoing in the firebox and may be complete. The top front knuckle joining the rear tube sheet to the crown sheet is also cut and prepped and waiting for the new formed knuckle to be welded into place. They have also replaced the lower 12" or so of the inside wrapper on the engineer's side of the firebox. I think they have also replaced another portion of the rear tube sheet IIRC. The latest issue they are looking at is possibly replacing the bottom third of the smokebox. According to ITM, the upper 2/3 was replaced during the initial restoration spearheaded by the late Cliff Hadlock and Brian Goodnight and now the lower 1/3 needs to be replaced.

This is all unofficial and probably not 100% accurate but is the best as I could recall. With colder winter weather in the offing, I wouldn' expect to see a lot of progress through the winter in the uninsulated shop building. They have made good progress and hope to see the boiler work get wrapped up hopefully in 2011. Don't look for return to operation until 2012 or 2013. And, BTW, they could use a few more good volunteers. I would say they have a good atmosphere and comraderie in place that should be conducive to continued growth and success. Our group of 4 railroaders was welcomed warmly and invited inside to see their progress. A team of 5 or 6 guys was busy working on one of the dismals in preparation for the upcoming holiday season schedule and one or two were working on the prime mover of one of the F-units inside the shop next to the 587.

Sincerely,


Rob Gardner
Chief Engineer, American Steam Railroad Preservation

Actually, UP 428 has been under restoration for more than 30 years, as I distinctly recall hearing it had been 7 years since the project started, back in '86 when I started volunteering at IRM.

Jeff (also not an "official" mouthpiece for the IRM "Steam Team")