Earlier this week, the FWRHS celebrated its 42nd Anniversary. To recognize the milestone,
we posted another clip from our documentary which neatly wraps up the last 40 some years. RYPN member dinwitty donated his valuable footage from the engine being removed from the park. My dad shot a good portion of the additional mid-to-late footage from the 1970s:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsneSYWIo0U

Last week we also recognized October 28th as Engine no. 765 Day here in our local community. We launched a contest called #Why765, asking folks to send in their story about the 765 and what it means for them for a chance to win tickets on next year's trips. We'll turn these stories around and use in them in our internal and external marketing pieces. There's also a social component to the contest, wherein we ask submitters to post their story on the social media channel of their choice.

We've gotten a strong response and a lot of really great, quality stories from people, including a few that are very surprising.

More on the contest here: http://fortwaynerailroad.org/why765/

We've extended the deadline through next week.

I'm hearing rumblings that 765 should have a busy year in 2015. Certain contacts within a steam-friendly Class 1 are talking about trips to some areas that haven't seen mainline steam since 1988. :-)

You aren't far off, Doc.

Kelly,

Consider your Twitter idea stolen for use as part of our own 50th Anniversary next year, and as a general development campaign for my current job!

Wesley

Steal away. "Why" is an emerging marketing concept for non-profits and our industry could stand to talk more about the why instead of the what. It's easy for us to get caught up in rivets, nuts, bolts, and archaic railroad acronyms.

Our next video will explore "Why" even further.

KL

I'm wondering if you and I have the same contacts - I'm hearing the same things as well - and if it's true - certainly look forward to it!

Gotta love that RYPN rumor mill.

my 765 restoration project video is still on BTW. That 12 hours of raw video (film)to sift thru.

My dad shot slides when the engine was donated to Lawton Park, the supervisor was working the engine in, my dad made a suggestion to him to put the rods on the right side in the "Down" position, thats the standard Builders Photo view you often see on new engines, so he did. Thats why the right side rods were down.

"You aren't far off, Doc."

Clever way to build suspense and keep dang fools in suspense.

Nicely played, Kelly. Nicely played.

CP O'Shea, what do you know about 2015? Areas that haven't seen mainline steam since 1988? Well, that almost narrows it down. Most of NS's original lines like ex-Southern and ex-N&W saw steam after 1988. It's the ex-Conrail lines in PA, NJ, etc. that last saw steam in 1988. NS got most of the lines except in Philly area that went to CSX. And ex-NYC route from Albany to Chicago.

I've heard some quiet banter from very credible sources, but no specifics yet on dates. I'll let the 765 folks make their own announcements when they are ready and able to do so.

If what I'm hearing is true, and the trips come to fruition (assuming manpower and capacity issues are resolved by then), there will be a ton of excitement and interest. Much more so than the 765's venture to Harrisburg a few years back.

And yes, as far as 1988 goes ... well, see above.

Also, does anyone know what year 614 make the last NJT Hoboken trips up the Tier? Just curious ... ;-)

How can we get some 21st Century Steam over here on the Delmarva Peninsula? There is a wye in Georgetown, DE.

For better odds, I would also look forward to a homecoming of sorts on the Front Royal, VA line, or a trip from Alexandria to Charlottesville.

Wesley

Not gonna lie, with the recent announcement that NS is planning to purchase the Sunbury Division from CP, I'm hoping to see some 21st Century Steam across the Tunkhannock Viaduct and into Scranton.

I hope NS tries some new routes next year with all locomotives. 4501 or 611 could go to Manassas to originate trips there, Charlottesville has no wye but Front Royal and Lynchburg do. Roanoke to Lynchburg would be a good start for 611. And 765 could make a return to PA or go to NY state. The guy who said steam in places that haven't seen steam since 1988, if 765 comes to Allentown, PA I'll be happy. I rode behind the 765 on the Lewistown to Curve excursion last year. Here are my ideas for 765 trips. Bound Brook, NJ-Reading, PA (same route as 1988), Bethlehem, PA to Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg to Renovo, PA, or somehow toward Philly without touching CSX, Amtrak, or SEPTA, or take the NS line to Morrisville, PA and avoid Philly. Amtrak just had an excursion on the ex-Reading from Philly to Harrisburg but I couldn't make it. 765 on that route would be more fun though than Amtrak Genesis units and Amfleets.

How about this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wkxi3_iBfA Is this a possibility next year? Yes or no? That video was taken in 1988 on a Conrail line that is now NS since the split. 1988 was the last year that public steam excursions ran on the Reading and Harrisburg lines. 765 was a star in NJ and PA in 1988. But Rich Melvin says those were the worst trips he ran and the convention was a disaster. Hopefully with NS the trips won't be the worst. Nobody wants to talk yet even if they know something. Rich Melvin at ogr won't say anything claiming there is no info yet on 2015 operations on NS. I'm dying to know if 765 is returning to PA next year and running a different route than 2013.