Nickel Plate 765 group raises funds for 2019 overhaul
Published: August 16, 2013FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Former Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765 will be main line ready for years to come, according to a newly released report from the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. According to the report, the group has invested $100,000 into Project 765, a fund-raising effort to pay for the Berkshire's 1,472-day overhaul set to take place in 2019.
No. 765 in Decatur, Ill., in September 2012.Photo by Bruce Bird
“It is rare for any organizing of our type to be able to finance a major portion of future work in this manner and we are extremely fortunate to be able to dedicate these resources to future maintenance of the locomotive,” historical society Treasurer Michael Guptail says.
Built in 1944, No. 765 was first restored in 1979 and ran until 1993. It returned to service in 2005. In 2012 and 2013, the engine returned to the main line for a series of excursions on Norfolk Southern, including a series of notable runs around the legendary Horseshoe Curve. The Memorial Day Weekend trips this year marked the first public steam excursions around the curve since 1977.
The success of the 2012 runs on Norfolk Southern is what led to group to be able to dedicate $100,000 toward the engine's eventual 1,472-day overhaul. Steve Winicker, mechanical manager for the group, says the overhaul would cost $500,000 or more. A more exact figure will be available once the locomotive is disassembled and inspected.
No. 765 will be fired up today in Fort Wayne for the historical society’s annual open house, which is happening all weekend. The group's entire collection will be on display and cab tours and caboose rides will be available. The grounds are open at 10 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. each day.
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