Hey Jeff,

I'm sure the NKP experts will chime in, but I believe the S-3's were delivered sans the Mars Lights and with the short-lived C&O font number boards. Perhaps this was after an overhaul?

Not positive on that though...

Note that the locomotive is coupled to Pullman 205 which was NKP 10-6 sleeper "City of Erie". It also looks like there is a gondola with people in it immediately behind the 772. Could this be some kind of fan trip?

According to "The Official Pullman-Standard Library, Vol. 11 Mid-Atlantic Railroads", Pullman 205 was ordered in November of 1946 and not delivered until February of 1950.

Nickel Plate 772 seems to be built in March of 1949.

FYI, Lima Locomotive Works was connected directly to the Nickel Plate.

This has the look to me of a "public display" of the NKP's "newest and greatest" stuff; seems to be at a team track or public delivery yard-- the reefers and such in the background hint at that sort of yard, probably adjacent to a passenger station.

Engine was probably repainted, and possibly was just out of its first classifed repairs (thus the fresh paint).

No way 11 months would go by between delivery and first revenue use of an expensive piece of capital equipment!

Howard P.

Speaking of color at the Lima plant, L&N RR had some color 16mm film of two of their M-1
2-8-4's shot at the plant when the engines were new. Both were on the test track and one was still in primer paint. Someone in Louisville got ahold of the sequence and I used it in our video "Reflections of the L&N, Vol. 2". This is the only movie film I've ever seen of new locomotives at the Lima plant. Is anyone aware of other such film?

-Jim Herron

In the background is "Independent Iron & Metal Co". I did some google research and found such a company existed in Erie, PA. However, it's current location is several blocks from the railroad or perahps it's current location is merely it's office. Maybe someone from that part of the world can shed some light on this location.

It would make sense to be a display in Erie, PA. We have photos of NKP 211 the "City of Lima" on display with other new equipment in Lima, OH including a ceremony with the mayor dedicating the car on June 8, 1950. This would imply that perhaps each of the "City" sleepers visited their hometowns for these type of events.

Great outfits! A cee-gar and two-tone shoes!

Howard P.
Panama Hat, NY

GMR -

Found out that NKP Pullman 205 was named the "City of Erie" so that lends more credence to the fact that the event was in that Pennsylvania city. Since we know that the 772 was built in 1949, she would have come due for her 5 year major rebuild in 1954. So can we assume that she is shown here on display in that year after her rebuild and before the Nickel Plate returned her to service? Anyone have any idea as to what special event happened in Erie in 1954?

Les

The photo was indeed taken in Erie, PA in August 1951. The city of Erie was having a week-long celebration in honor of the city’s centennial.
The Nickel Plate participated by putting the 772, the Pullman sleeper “City of Erie”, and a flat car, boxcar, and caboose on display.
There was a road for the team track on the opposite side of the 772 where stairs were erected to allow access to the 772’s cab and the boxcar. The caboose and Pullman were also accessible.
The photo location was just east of Holland St in NKP’s small yard, just opposite of the NKP’s passenger station in Erie.
Of course, by this time the 772 had received the NKP treatment, i.e., Mars light, twin sealed beam headlight, and new number font in the number boards.
All this area has changed. There is no trace of the NKP here and a lot of the old buildings in the area have been torn down.

Jim Kreider

Jeff:

I was a little kid at the time but I was there.
I was born and raised in Erie and my dad, who worked for the NKP, took me to the display.
I got to know quite a bit of the NKP in Erie pedaling around on my bicycle.
The NKP freight agent in Erie, a fellow by the name of Frank W. Goss, was quite friendly and gave my a copy of Howard Fogg's NKP Alco PA painting, which he signed for me. I still have it.
Frank Williams, the yard switcher engineer in Erie, would let me ride in the Alco switcher and had been known on occasion to stop the engine on the mainline to pick me up when he saw me.
I had a paper route along much of NKP's 19th street running in Erie so I witnessed many a Berkshire.

Jim Kreider
Redlands, CA

Thanks jeff.

I've been a lurker here for some time as I find a lot of good info and interesting subjects here.

And thanks for posting that photo. It brought back found memories.

Jim Kreider

Jim -

Thanks for the information. I guess the only thing that surprises me is that the 772 is obviously in new paint. Since this is only two years after she arrived new from Lima, I am guessing that she was in the shop for work after some type of accident. I can't imagine that the NKP would give her a new coat of paint and "shine her up" just for this display. But maybe they did. If no one has any information of an accident, then I guess we will have to just assume that the display was the reason.

Les

Les:

I would guess that the NKP was quite proud of their display because all of the equipment was in new paint including the flat car, box car, and caboose, in addition to the 772.
I have not seen any shop records or heard of the 772 being in an accident just prior to the display. The 772 did receive her Mars light and the Mars twin sealed beam headlight insert on July 26, 1951 so the paint job was probably applied at the same time.

Jim

Okay Jim. Sounds logical to me. Thanks.

Les