Shoutout to our friends at the Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology, because we have recently been SHARING a designated historic resource! It's not often that a National Register of Historic Places - NPS-listed resource regularly crosses state lines, but last weekend and this weekend a restored steam locomotive has been doing just that! Nickle Plate Road "Berkshire" locomotive No. 765, based near Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been making scheduled passenger excursions between northeast Indiana and the City of Hillsdale, pulling restored passenger cars and sending the echo of a steam whistle through the countryside. Built in Lima, Ohio in 1944 and retired in 1958, the 765 was restored to operation in 1979 and overhauled again in the early 2000's. It was listed in the National Register in 1996, and a small plaque on the tender frame acknowledges this historic designation!
One of many photos on The Life and Times of Nickel Plate Road No. 765, Angela Cotey, November 19 | Last updated on November 23, 2020 on Trains.com similar to the photos with this newspaper article.
HISTORY JOURNAL ▸ On Sept. 6, 1974, more than 100 people gathered near downtown to watch a daylong effort to move a Nickel Plate Road Berkshire Locomotive across Fourth Street.
History Journal features and stories of historical interest from the archives of The Journal Gazette▸ On Sept. 6, 1974, more than 100 people gathered near downtown to watch a daylong effort to move a Nickel Plate Road Berkshire Locomotive across Fourth Street.
Displayed as the 767 locomotive in the city from 1963 to 1974, it was actually the 765 locomotive.
The original Nickel Plate 767 had been used to break the ribbon at ceremonies marking the opening of the railroad elevation on Oct. 4, 1955, in downtown Fort Wayne. The 765 locomotive had become the first train to traverse the new rails previous to the ceremonial opening, according to a history of the 765 on the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s website.
In the 1960s, the city requested the 767 so it could be displayed in honor of the work railroads had played in the industrial development of Fort Wayne. But the 767 was in poor condition, so the railroad company renumbered the better-preserved 765 locomotive as 767 before bequeathing it to the city, according to the society’s website.
The locomotive had been put in its Clinton Street position on May 1, 1963, and was officially presented to the city in a ceremony May 4. ...
The locomotive on display at Lawton Park was exposed to the elements for more than 10 years, and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society was incorporated in 1972 to find a way to care for the “iron horse.”
After being removed from Lawton Park, work began to get the locomotive operational again under its original number. In 1979 it moved under its own power for the first time in decades. The society continues to operate the 765.
What did small-town America sound like 70 years ago? We like to think it went something like this. 🚂🎙️🎶 At 3:29AM this morning, Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765 passed through Edon, Ohio on the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company, heralding the start of an exciting and expanded excursion and event season. Take a look at what's coming up and book your tickets behind our time machine here: https://www.indianarailexperience.org/2023/04/2023-rail-events/
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society steam locomotive #765 pulling several passenger cars, rolling out of downtown Fort Wayne Saturday afternoon, headed back to Detroit, MI. Please click the "HD" option for best quality! No "early film" effect.
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society steam locomotive #765 pulling several passenger cars, rolling out of downtown Fort Wayne Saturday afternoon, headed back to Detroit, MI. Please click the "HD" option for best quality! No "early film" effect.
The circus train is no more, but the show must go on! We've transformed our two former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus cars into new first-class, open-air cars, replete with parlor-style seating, open windows, and generously sized Dutch doors so our passengers can enjoy the sights and sounds of railroading at speed! In honor of the circus train's connection to Fort Wayne, we've named our table car "Centlivre Park," after the outdoor performance location where the traveling circus once performed. The Centlivre Park has been added to the Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursion this coming weekend and you can ride behind the 765 in comfort and style. For details and booking, click here: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/.../new-first-class-open.../
The circus train is no more, but the show must go on! We've transformed our two former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus cars into new first-class, open-air cars, replete with parlor-style seating, open windows, and generously sized Dutch doors so our passengers can enjoy the sights and sounds of railroading at speed! In honor of the circus train's connection to Fort Wayne, we've named our table car "Centlivre Park," after the outdoor performance location where the traveling circus once performed. The Centlivre Park has been added to the Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursion this coming weekend and you can ride behind the 765 in comfort and style. For details and booking, click here: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/.../new-first-class-open.../