GREAT book and price!

Book Ordered. 

When/where will I be able to get it autographed?

@GregM posted:

Book Ordered. 

When/where will I be able to get it autographed?

I'd be happy to do that, but you don't have your correct address in your profile, so I don't know where you live.

Update your profile and remove the old OGR office address and replace it with your real address. Then maybe we can make a plan.

I just ordered a copy as well and look forward to reading it!

Thanks, Rich!

Hi Rich!

I received my copy just a few days ago, and the book is FANTASTIC! I'm enjoying getting to know No. 765 so well, and I appreciate you tying the history of the NKP Berkshires from their creation to 765's new career in the 21st century. Additionally, the photos are wonderful, and I got a good chuckle at the chapter, "Step into my office, please."

When traveling near Ft. Wayne for work in November 2019, I called the FWRHS to see if I could stop by for a brief, private appointment. I was honored and humbled to meet Steve Winicker there early in the morning, and he not only let me see the engine, but climb into the cab with him as well. It was a wonderful hour-long visit with him and tour of the engine shed, and I'm forever grateful to have been given that opportunity.

Many thanks for writing about this storied locomotive, as well as for sharing your years of experience from the cab point-of-view! All the best wishes to you and your family from Davenport, IA.

Patrick

I received mine a couple of weeks ago.  A GREAT read.  I highly recommend it.  I sat by the fire pit while reading it and having a cold one.  It was like Rich was sitting there telling me the stories in person.  The photography alone is worth the price of the book.

Great job, Rich.  Keep'em coming!

Tom

@Rich Melvin posted:

I'd be happy to do that, but .........

I didn’t expect that answer.  

Let me rephrase my question regarding getting the book autographed.  Do you have any plans to do public autograph sessions, perhaps at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society facilities sometime in the future?  The opportunity to have the book signed would provide strong incentive to visit the facilities and provide additional support to FWRHS.

It's a win-win for everyone.....

Ordered. Thank you for taking the time to put this book together! Looking forward to reading your take on the 765.

@GregM posted:

I didn’t expect that answer. 

Let me rephrase my question regarding getting the book autographed.  Do you have any plans to do public autograph sessions, perhaps at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society facilities sometime in the future?  The opportunity to have the book signed would provide strong incentive to visit the facilities and provide additional support to FWRHS.

The misunderstanding is my fault...allow me to explain.

These books are printed on demand at Ingram Publishing. The book is printed at Ingram and then shipped directly to you. I don't see it before it is shipped to you. So I have no way to sign it before you get it.

I will be attending the Fort Wayne Open House in August. If you plan to attend, I'd be happy to sign it there.

Just bought one!  Hope to be able to get it Autographed sometime in the future. 

Just bought mine in hardcover and cant wait to get it and rread it. Hopefully I too will be able to get mine signed by the author someday!

Rich,

I just had to chime in and compliment you on the book.  I received a hardcopy of it a week or so ago, and actually ordered it for my Dad as a Fathers Day gift.  I've read through it in the meantime and have thoroughly enjoyed it.  All of the photos are fantastic, and I really enjoyed the full history presented from how the Berkshires came to be in the first place, their original regular service, and of course your stories of some of the adventures you've had with the 765 as well as the initial and more recent overhauls.  You're a good story teller for sure and I'd highly recommend the book to anyone that is a fan of Lima Super Power and the Berks in particular!

Derek

I'll make sure to spread the word! Absolutely buying! Hope I can get it signed one of these days.

2 copies ordered - one for me and now I know what my best friend is getting for Christmas.  Most of the time I have to read his gifts before I wrap them.  Not this time.  Hope to see Rich somewhere to collect an autograph some time.

Rich 

          Just ordered one , hope you explained in detail how to lashup locomotives .BEST OF LUCK TECHMAN

Awesome Rich! Ft Wayne is just 15 mins north of me . I’ll have to grab a copy and an autograph would be great too!

Received it last week and love it.

@Lancer posted:

Awesome Rich! Ft Wayne is just 15 mins north of me . I’ll have to grab a copy and an autograph would be great too!

Lance, I will be attending the FWRHS Members Day on August 22nd. This is part of the annual Open House event scheduled for August 21-23 this year. I would be happy to sign your book there.

Get more info about the Open House here.

Rich, I want to thank you for this great opportunity to get some great reading and pictures(just ordered). I am always looking for more train books to stick my eyes into, especially about a train I have never had the pleasure of seeing in person(unfortunately). I really wish I had got a chance to get out there before your retirement, but at least I did get to see you at York. I won't be able to get out there in August, but I can just imagine. I still have to see about acquiring NPR #765 with your voice on it, one of the things on the list. Sort of makes me wonder, how many other engines are out there with your voice on?

Thanks, Dave. I hope you enjoy the book.

My voice is used in the Lionel NKP (not NPR) Berkshire, but I don’t know if my voice has been used in other locomotives.

Smacks head. Only I would mess that up Rich. Yeah, NKP, that's what I meant. Leave it to me to continue making mistakes like that.

I'll have to see if I can ask Ryan about that next time I email him. Thanks again Rich, hope you're doing okay.

I’m guessing the chapter mentioning 700 talks about 765’s whistle?

For what it's worth, sometime around 1973 my wife and I went to Steamtown in Bellows Fall for the inaugural run of NKP 765 after her re-tube. There were 7 engines under steam that weekend including a very unique fireless switcher. My wife won the lottery for the first official whistle blow. Boy let me tell you a lot of men were seriously ticked off. I forget their names but all the old-timers from the BF museum were there . A very memorable weekend indeed. 

GameBreaker64, you guessed wrong... 

The chapter entitled "The Born Again 700"  by Wayne York tells the story of how the 765 was saved from the scrappers torch and restored the first time, back in the 70s. There is no mention of the whistle in that or any other chapter. The NKP Berks all carried the same whistle.

Fastman, in 1973 the 765 (numbered 767) was still on display in Lawton Park in Fort Wayne.

She has never been to Bellows Falls, Vermont. You saw NKP 759, not the 765.

All of it will be a great read. It is interesting how some engines managed to get lucky by either crews hiding them or just plain luck by getting picked up by someone buying an old engine. This should be quite a tale.

759. You well know the history here, more so than me.I stand corrected.

@fastman posted:

759. You well know the history here, more so than me.I stand corrected.

No problem. After all, the Berks all looked alike, other than the numbers.  It would be easy to confuse one with another, especially that long ago!

From page 167...photo by Casey Thomason.

Rich, in that picture is that from Steamtown? I know 759 is up there, but no idea how long it has been. Only been up there a few times and last year did the trolley museum and never got the chance to get in. I know you had made a trip up to Steamtown with 765 from a post elsewhere here as well as seeing some pictures in one of the buildings. Do you know if 759 is/was working or if it just is stuck in static display?

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Rich, in that picture is that from Steamtown? I know 759 is up there, but no idea how long it has been. Only been up there a few times and last year did the trolley museum and never got the chance to get in. I know you had made a trip up to Steamtown with 765 from a post elsewhere here as well as seeing some pictures in one of the buildings. Do you know if 759 is/was working or if it just is stuck in static display?

The 759 ran for the last time four years before the 765 ran for the first time. She is not currently operational and she's likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

The photo is at Steamtown's current home in Scranton, taken in 2015 when 765 paid a visit there. The 759 is one of the original engines that Nelson Blount acquired in the 1960s at the start of his collection, and it has remained at Steamtown since.

NKP 759 at Steamtown is not operable. Static display only.

Here's another Casey Thomason photo, from page 175. Casey is the Norfolk Southern corporate photographer.

Glad Rich has made a record of his experiences.  My favorite, “The Ruling Grade.”

Larry

Received mine today, it is absolutely incredible. The last chapter with his grandsons brought tears to my eyes. This is exactly what I needed during these crazy times. 
Thanks for doing this Rich.

Brad

Oh wow...that is so kind of you to say that, Brad. I'm glad you enjoyed the book.

Here's a glimpse of what he's talking about, from page 191...

Get your copy here.

From page 34 in the book, here's a photo taken in the month I was born, October 1946.

The subject of the "2765" was mentioned on another forum, and I posted a picture in response to it. Here's the story...

In 1993 we made some cosmetic changes to NKP 765 to make it look like a C&O Kanawha (pronounced kuh-NAW) which was the C&O's version of a 2-8-4. The two types were essentially identical. We renumbered the engine to "2765" which was a real Kanawha number. There is a chapter in my book about this special year, with a lot of good pictures, like this one by F. J. Ahern.

This was taken on October 23, 1993 on the old C&O in West Virginia. Passing under a classic C&O cantilevered signal bridge, the "2765" is on the point of the New River Train.

According to tracking, mine should get delivered today. 1946, you're a year younger than my Uncle Dick who is the biggest train fan in the family, maybe second to me but I doubt that. He knows way more about almost everything (toy train) than I could possibly know.

Ordered my copy last Wednesday, received it today.

Great photos, great stories. Lots to read and look at.

And, the author is pretty good, too!! 

The e-mail I got Friday said they'd be here Tuesday but mine arrived today, Monday.  So far I've only had a chance to "thumb" through mine but it looks like I'm going to be spending a few evenings away from the computer.  Best part is I now have 6 months to remind my friend that I know what he's getting for Christmas but that I can't tell him.  Yup, he finds it annoying.

Rich Melvin 

  I received my copy today , briefly looked at before supper , what an outstanding job you did on the book , the formatt is fantastic looking forward to reading it tonight techman

Just ordered a hard copy... something to peruse while running my Legacy 765...

Just saw a news story that NS is going to close most of the huge classification yard in Bellevue, Ohio. Here's what went on in Bellevue many years ago, from page 36 in my book...

3rd Trick in Bellevue, Ohio, June 18, 1957

IT’S A LITTLE PAST MIDNIGHT at the Nickel Plate Road roundhouse in Bellevue, Ohio. It’s a warm summer night with a gentle breeze out of the south. Even though it’s late, no one is sleeping here! NKP Berks 766, 779, 751, and  707 all await their next call to duty. The hostlers have cleaned the fires, filled the coal bunkers, topped off the  tender water tanks, and spotted the engines on the ready tracks in front of the roundhouse. When they leave town, each of these Berks will have several thousand tons of freight behind it. By sunrise, they will all be a hundred miles or more away from Bellevue, on their way to Buffalo or Chicago.

This dramatic photo was taken by Don Wood and comes from the John B. Corns Collection.

Stunning picture.

 All I can say is....WOW !!

Deadheaded from Youngstown to Buffalo just after the Tornadoes

and then car crewed Buffalo - Corning Trips

Thanks, Rich

I got my copy yesterday. Lightening fast shipping! I’ve only been able to skim it so far, but I LOVE that it’s not the usual picture book with minimal text that seem to be everywhere these days. Great job Rich.

Ordered a copy Monday, it arrived today. Just have had a chance to do a short review, but I am most impressed with the section on the 21st Century Overhaul Project... amazing pictures which give an incredible insight into just how massive the 765 is!!! Fabulous job, Rich.

Got my copy today.  Looks great!

-Brian

@Apples55 posted:

... amazing pictures which give an incredible insight into just how massive the 765 is!!!

How big is the 765? Try this on for size...

Mark St. Aubin poses next to one of the pistons and rods from the 765. Now imagine that huge piston and rod moving back and forth in the cylinder several times per second when the 765 is running fast!

This comes from page 156 in the book.

Rich,

If I understand, if we order the book, you will sign it for us as long as we provide you with the correct shipping address? Thanks.

Kevin 

@PSU1980 posted:

Rich,

If I understand, if we order the book, you will sign it for us as long as we provide you with the correct shipping address? Thanks.

Kevin 

No, that is not correct.  Read this reply from Rich.    The address Rich discusses in his first reply to me has NOTHING to do with where the book is shipped.  I received my book from the publisher.

Greg and Kevin, things have changed a little since I wrote that the reply about signing books in Fort Wayne. I am climbing the learning curve on this process too, and I recently learned about another way that I can sign a book for you.

Kevin, if you have not yet ordered your book, there is a way we can do this. You can specify a different shipping address for the book when you order. If you send it to me, I will sign it and then send it on to you.

CLICK HERE to email me directly for my address. I do not want to publicize my home address here on the forum. In that email, provide the address where the book should be sent after I sign it.

There ya go!

"Horsepower at Speed"  was Lima's catch phrase for their modern steam locomotive design philosophy. Here's a great example.

The "2765" (NKP 765 in disguise) is roaring through Lowellville, Ohio, at 60+ mph, with twenty-nine cars behind her! It takes a lot of horsepower to do that.

From page 140 in my book, the caption reads:
"No matter which way the '2765' was headed, she was usually going fast! Highballin’ eastbound through Lowellville, Ohio on the former B&O main (now CSX), the 2765 shows the classic sign of a steam locomotive running at high speed. At 60 mph the wind lays the smoke back flat against the top of the train."

Dorothy Ruhlman took this dramatic photo.

Get  your copy of my book here.
Profits go to the continued upkeep and maintenance of the 765.

Hey Rich, funny you posted that. Last week(which I didn't get a chance to comment here about) a friend was telling me she was out in Ohio and heard trains. I said whistles or horns, she said horns maybe, wasn't sure. So I sent her a video to clear that up. Well, was horns, but she prefers steam. So I looked up a video for her. Found(which is copyrighted) NKP 765 travelling at 70 MPH. I believe the video was posted back in 2016. Man that engine is hauling. That has got to be something else. Every steam engine I have had the pleasure of traveling on has been short lines and rather slow.

The sound of a steam locomotive going fast is a sound not heard in this country today. This short clip, produced by steamtrainvideos.com, captures this dramatic sound very well.

This 70 mph clip opens with the whistle sounding in the distance. When the whistle stops, there are several seconds where the extremely fast pace of the exhaust can be heard before the whistle sounds again. Truly amazing! But this is what the NKP Berks were designed to do . . . run fast with a heavy train.

Yeah, that is the video Rich. My friend was in awe, as all of us should be. Seeing something like that move is indeed a rare thing, especially at that speed with a load behind it. Last year when 611 was up at Strasburg, I talked with a few of the crew while waiting. One of them remarked to one of the other folks waiting about how they brought it up, the slowness because of I think they said insurance and other such things. They remarked as well how 611 wasn't even working hard to pull the cars there, and how there was only one place that they could open it up(I think home turf). Truly something remarkable to see. Wish I could have made it out to see 765 do all the things it did with you at the helm, but alas.

@Rich Melvin posted:

The sound of a steam locomotive going fast is a sound not heard in this country today. This short clip, produced by steamtrainvideos.com, captures this dramatic sound very well.

This 70 mph clip opens with the whistle sounding in the distance. When the whistle stops, there are several seconds where the extremely fast pace of the exhaust can be heard before the whistle sounds again. Truly amazing! But this is what the NKP Berks were designed to do . . . run fast with a heavy train.

Too bad that guy didn't set up his camera where there were no grade crossings, in order to REALLY hear that Lima Super Power exhaust (with the famous Baker valve gear 'Lima Gait'). 

I agree, Jack. I've scoured the net for videos of the 765 at high speed without a lot of whistling, with little success. This is the best one I've found so far. Of course, there are a lot of grade crossings on the Metra line, so that's part of the problem.

@Rich Melvin posted:

I agree, Jack. I've scoured the net for videos of the 765 at high speed without a lot of whistling, with little success. This is the best one I've found so far. Of course, there are a lot of grade crossings on the Metra line, so that's part of the problem.

Same here, really good videos are hard to find. I seem to remember a fellow from the Chicago area took, and posted, some videos along the old Rock Island line out to Joliet. He parked in some industrial/office complex in the Mokena area, where there are very few grade crossings. She sounded really nice at 70+ from that track-side video (I have visited that area twice to watch her go by, enroute to downtown Chicago). Can't remember where I saw it,,,,,,,maybe Trainorders.com?

I should have walked to Tennessee and picked up my copy. Ordered it on the 10th, tracking shows it's still in Chicago area.. 

Looking forward to reading it though when it does show up!  I remember having to get the newest issue of  Railfan & Railroad, to look in the back for the upcoming excursions! 

Steam fan, that’s very odd. The feedback I’ve received from customers is that most are getting their books in 4-5 days.

Things seem to be a bit disorganized with the U.S. Postal Service when it come to packages. My copy of the 765 book was shipped from Ohio in the 22nd, went to a Des Moines, Iowa "Distribution Center", and no telling where it is now. Can't imagine why the USPS would bypass Chicago completely, when we live in the Chicago suburbs. Oh well, maybe it will arrive this Saturday.   

Regarding USPS - since the Covid-19 crisis hit in March 2020 many USPS packages have been delayed. Most only take 1-2 days longer on average but if it is Media Mail (commonly used for books and video) most of those take about 4-5 weeks longer than normal to be delivered. Estimated delivery date for Media Mail means nothing these days.

I sent two packages to same address in New Jersey - one was First Class Package, other was Media Mail. Both went from Indiana to NJ with normal transit time with the Media Mail one one day behind the First Class. Once they got to USPS center in Jersey City that's where the fun started. First Class kept moving and was delivered two days later. Media Mail package just sat there for almost four weeks before it moved 4.5 miles to USPS Kearney hub. Once in Kearney it got delivered two days later.

Almost all of my Media Mail packages enroute to me have been delayed 3-5 weeks on average. None have been lost so far - they all arrive eventually in excellent condition. I understand USPS is short on personnel plus moving packages depends on available capacity which is reduced thanks to Covid-19. Media Mail is moved on a non-time sensitive basis when space is available although being delayed for weeks in the system seems excessive.

I sure hope these NKP 765 books are not being sent Media Mail. The small extra cost for First Class package or Priority Mail is well worth it these days as Media Mail is extremely slow nowadays!

Glad you included some vintage photos in the book Rich! The 1957 one you showed on this thread reminded me of the powerful, yet sweet sound of the berks' Nathan steel whistles!

Although I wonder, do the brass whistles sound any different than the steel ones?

@645 posted:

Regarding USPS - since the Covid-19 crisis hit in March 2020 many USPS packages have been delayed. Most only take 1-2 days longer on average but if it is Media Mail ... most of those take about 4-5 weeks longer than normal to be delivered. ... Media Mail package just sat there for almost four weeks before it moved 4.5 miles to USPS Kearney hub.

Uh-oh. I've been sending these books from here (the ones I signed) via Media Mail. I didn't know about the big delays on that. I won't do that any more. Thanks 645.

I don't think Ingram (Aerio) sends them via Media Mail. The books I signed have arrived here at the house within 4-5 days of the order.

Curious question about coal Rich, I would imagine that most if not all coal docks, coal towers and such are gone. I know the small railroad downtown by me they use a frontend loader or some small equipment or such. They have a cinder block wall where they house the coal. I have no idea on how they pop water in either, but suspect the odd thing on the pole may be how. I'd get a picture, but with them still being locked down, very unlikely I'd be let into the parking lot for a photo. I'll have to see if I have one on my hard drive at home.

Rich and  Hot Water:    Just added a video of the 765 traveling thru White Haven, PA in August 2015.  Don't know if it's the high speed you're looking for.  Enjoy.

It’s nice scene, but that’s only about 30 mph, not 70!

Rich, I just ordered your book.  If possible, could you please autograph it for me?  thank you very much

@WB Trainman posted:

Rich, I just ordered your book.  If possible, could you please autograph it for me?  thank you very much

I would be happy to! Did you have it shipped to me for signing?

These are print-on-demand books that are shipped direct from the printer to you (or me, if you've set it up that way.)  I do not have a stock of books here to sign.

No I did  not.  Is there a way to change to have it shipped to you and get it signed. Placed the order about 15 min ago.  Just sent an e-mail to the Aerio requesting that the book be sent to you.

WB Trainman, I'm sorry. I didn't get back on the forum to see this post until this morning. Let's hope Aerio responds properly.

If they don't send the book to me first, we may still have a way to do this. The Lovely and Gracious Linda and I are planning some fall travel in October. We'll be on the I-81 corridor for many miles. Maybe we can set up a meet then and I can sign your book in person.

IT ARRIVED!!!!!     Thanks for the kind words, Rich. I'll begin reading this afternoon. Plus, the money goes to a good cause.

WHEW!

I'm glad you got it, Jack. With the info posted above about long delays on Media Mail deliveries, I was concerned you wouldn't get it for weeks!

I think this is only about 50mph, and there's a little noise from the highway, but no whistle....And pardon my ignorance, but I don't know how hard 765 is working....this was May 28, 2013, I think.

David

David, that is 40 mph. That was our maximum authorized speed while running on Norfolk Southern.

Whoever is running the 765 in this scene has her hooked up just right. Very clear and crisp exhausts. She's just loafin' along...

Ah, thanks for the correction, Rich. I was trying to remember how fast 765 was allowed to run (with passengers). And sort of guesstimating based on how long it took for a car to go by....Don't want to clog up the thread - have a video from the same weekend, shot from an overpass in Altoona as the train heads for Horseshoe Curve - only 15 or 20 mph, but sharp exhaust bark. Three or four diesels running light heading in the other direction.

EDIT: Well, decided to post the Altoona video. Thanks again for the correction later in this thread, Rich.

Will order the book soon. EDIT - have ordered the book now. Should be excellent.

David

@NKP Muncie posted:

Ah, thanks for the correction, Rich. I was trying to remember how fast 765 was allowed to run (with passengers)....

Our maximum authorized speed on Norfolk Southern was 40 mph at all times - with or without passengers.

@Rich Melvin posted:

WB Trainman, I'm sorry. I didn't get back on the forum to see this post until this morning. Let's hope Aerio responds properly.

If they don't send the book to me first, we may still have a way to do this. The Lovely and Gracious Linda and I are planning some fall travel in October. We'll be on the I-81 corridor for many miles. Maybe we can set up a meet then and I can sign your book in person.

That would be great, Rich.  Do let me know when you are in the area and I will try to get the book to you as well as meet you in person.  Aerio has unfortunately already shipped the book. Until then!

Excellent book! I hope to see the NKP 765 and UP 4014 double-heading in 2021.

LOL!

Nice Photoshop job!

NKP 765 and UP 4014 doubleheaded? Hmmm. I don't know how the 765 crew would feel about dragging that Big Boy around all day. 

OK...we've had a little fun with this, but let's stay on topic going forward, OK? Thanks.

Excellent! Got my book a couple days ago (14 days from shipped date to receiving it... thanks USPS!) LOL!!

Got mine.  Intetesting presentation.  Not coffee table.  But not, "Just the Facts", dry as a a bone discourse.

The Berk after the tunnel incident, looks like SP SD45's, straight and with special cooling package, after a few trips through Donner Pass.

The Berk and Big Boy.  Some things are not meant to lash up......!

Just ordered a copy can't wait to read it

Hey Rich,

Just tried clicking the link in the original post to the site today and I got this message from Chrome. It doesn't let me proceed to the site.

Is it something wrong on your end or my end? I've been busy and I haven't gotten the chance to order the book yet.

There was nothing wrong, but I set up a new site just for the book.

CLICK HERE to go to the new 765 Book Site.

@Rich Melvin posted:

Lance, I will be attending the FWRHS Members Day on August 22nd. This is part of the annual Open House event scheduled for August 21-23 this year. I would be happy to sign your book there.

Get more info about the Open House here.

Link to Open House no longer works.  Has the Open House been cancelled?  

The FWRHS open house was moved to October. They must have changed the link.

The Open House has been rescheduled to October and renamed the "Autumn Railroad Festival." Go to that page and you can get on a mailing list for advance notice about all their events.

And here's a link to my book page, just in case you missed it! 

Trinity River Bottoms Boomer, thank you so much for your thoughtful post. I am pleased you enjoyed the book.

I checked out the Railroad Evangelistic Association web site.  I had no idea such an organization existed. Thanks for the information.

For those of you who may not know what book "Boomer" is talking about, here's a link to my book page. All the profits from the sale of this book go to the Fort Wayne RR Historical Society for the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of NKP 765. This is the cover...

Here is a short video of the 765 blowing thru the Tinley Park train station on September 16, 2018.

Nickel Plate Berks were the best looking engines to ever ride a rail.  The details were all together to form visual perfection.

Like Alco PA-1 /PB-1 diesels were in their era.

I would have to agree with your assessment of the Berks' appearance, Tom.

Of course, I might be just a bit prejudiced...

My book sale page. All the profits from the sale of this book go to the Fort Wayne RR Historical Society for the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of NKP 765.

Out of curiosity, how many books have been sold? Yes, I bought one.

The last time I checked, which was about two weeks ago, about 650 copies had sold at wholesale to bookstores and about 300 had sold at retail.

@Rich Melvin posted:

The last time I checked, which was about two weeks ago, about 650 copies had sold at wholesale to bookstores and about 300 had sold at retail.

Very good, thank you for the update.

How fantastic! Congratulations sir! 

A very nice read Rich.  Just curious, was there ever the possibility of running the Trains story of the planning process of putting together the W&LE Pittsburgh 1985 trips with the tornado in the book.  That would have been a nice piece to have in there to show the behind the scenes work that it takes to be able to pull off a mainline excursion.

It was a pleasure to be there for the last run up at Cuyahoga Valley.  I owe Jason a huge thanks for setting that one up, even though he didn't know.

Kevin

Kevin, I’m glad you were there, too...for a lot of reasons!

Just this week I finally started editing some precious video footage from my last run. When I get it done, I’ll post it to my YouTube channel. Should I include a credit?  

I’ll have to see about that old Trains article. That was three computers ago, so I might have to go back and scan the article itself to get it back into an editable format. I don’t think I have the file for it any longer.

@Rich Melvin posted:

Kevin, I’m glad you were there, too...for a lot of reasons!

Just this week I finally started editing some precious video footage from my last run. When I get it done, I’ll post it to my YouTube channel. Should I include a credit?  

I’ll have to see about that old Trains article. That was three computers ago, so I might have to go back and scan the article itself to get it back into an editable format. I don’t think I have the file for it any longer.

I want to say the P&LE article was part of the big 765 history issue circa 1992ish.  The one with the profile shot of the front end by John B. Corns on the front cover.

Don't worry about the credit.  I'm just glad someone was there.  Many thanks to you, Kelly and Jason for putting it together.  Sometimes, I figure we're just put in a place where we need to be even if we don't know why.  It all kinda works out in the end.

The Cuyahoga Valley run was memorable for me also as a friend who had done a lot with steam railroading (on the video production side for many years) was having a lot of health problems and had lost most of his vision by that time.  He'd gone back to the early 80s with the 765 starting during the Southern tour, and that trip with 765 near his childhood home was the last engine he was able to see, and the last time I saw him.

Kevin