ANGOLA, INDIANA – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc. and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company have announced The Indiana Rail Experience, a historic partnership that will contribute to the tourism economy and the quality of life in Northeast Indiana.

Beginning in 2022, the Fort Wayne non-profit will operate a series of passenger train trips, educational programs, and special events over the Indiana Northeastern, a 100-mile railroad line that connects Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

In addition to Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765, other historic locomotives, and classic railroad passenger cars will provide unique offerings for children, families, and adults between July and October.

A complete schedule and tickets will be available later in May and June.

For more details and the official press release, click here: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/2022/05/i ... announced/

Excellent news. Operating on, and in cooperation with, a responsive and friendly regional shortline is really the future for running the larger steam locomotives.

Howard P.

This is excellent news. Having that much potential trackage could make for some interesting trips, and best of all it you're staying "local" for those that may have wanted to take a trip but couldn't make the drive out to Ohio or your other previous trips that were out of state.

Obviously this isnt tied in any way to the Headwaters Junction project, but is there any news that can be shared on that as well?

Depending on how the year goes...they may very well become related.

Interesting news. Hopefully someone can get a photo excursion set up!

Will you still be doing Steam in the Valley after this year?

Hearty congratulations to Kelly and his group for this important achievement. These strategic partnerships with leading Regionals/Class 2 roads are the way to the future for steam and give it a long term life expectancy.

Best wishes for a very successful venture.

Thanks, Ross Rowland

This deal does not preclude other venues like CVSR and Chicago, and in fact helps us put together a train set for events like the latter more easily than if we didn't have the cars already pooled.

A photo event is definitely in the mix.

Very curious that you specifically mention Chicago as a venue. I had vowed that my trip tomorrow on 43/29 would be my last out to the Windy City, but should you guys return, I'd certainly have to break that vow.

Very excited to hear 765 is possibly coming back to Michigan! I think the last time she made the trek north here was during her excursions on NS in 2014 for the Detroit Arrow on the old Wabash mainline. Can't wait to get tickets when the time comes!

This is one reason why the " where will it run" question that is asked ad nauseum isn't all that important, because there will be opportunities that arise that could never be foreseen.

I’m not so sure. Not every location has a place for a big locomotive to run if Class 1’s can’t be used.

In Indiana or Ohio for example? There’s a plethora of short line railroads that could certainly host something like 765 or 1225.

But in a state like Montana or Wyoming? Not so much. An effort to restore say GN 2584 and run it in Montana would pretty much require BNSF as a host.

765's schedule for the summer has been released, with an all-day steam excursion in the mix with shorter, themed events.

https://fortwaynerailroad.org/2022/05/i ... ce-events/

Kelly: This looks like a great product mix. Congrats!

And at price points that don't leave anybody out. Great news.

Has Metra reached out to you about bringing the 765 back to Chicago once she’s equipped with PTC?