Steve thought we were going to the New York Central Museum in Fort Wayne. I don't know where he got the idea. But as we drove into the entrance of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society site at New Haven, Indiana he forgot everything except ..." The 765! The 765!"
Eventually he calmed down and Tom took his photo in front of the locomotive.
The 765, a Berkshire-type locomotive, was built in Lima, Ohio. The Nickel Plate Road became an effective, high-speed freight line with the addition of 80 Berkshires to its system. These locomotives were used in the 1940s and 1950s.
The 765 on the left, the Jedda Coal Company Locomotive on the right. The 765 backed up, then moved forward at regular intervals. To experience a train ride, visitors rode in the cabooses attached to the Jedda.
The Jedda locomotive was a small one. It pulled two cabooses, one of the original style with a cupola above the center section and one of the later style which had extended side sections so the train employees riding in it could check out the track on both sides of the track and alert the engineer of any problems.
Here Steve is boarding the original style caboose. My arm is barely visible as I lead the way.
The ladder in front of Steve's face goes up to the cupola. It was already full of passengers. But that was OK. Steve was sitting directly across from our guide for the trip. Behind the guide was a window. Every time Steve saw something interesting, he asked about it. I remember that he saw some passenger cars acquired by the group.
The guide told Steve that when the Locomotive went to other venues, it pulled extra tenders filled with coal for running it. It also pulled cars filled with water.
Tom couldn't ride the train because he was in his power chair but there was plenty to see so he was happy. It was fascinating just to watch the Berkshire 765 and see the steam rolling out as it traveled its length backing down the track and then moving forward. There were train enthusiasts to talk to...visitors and volunteers. There was the next locomotive the group is planning to restore.
There was an HO model railroad layout.
The 765 Berkshire's schedule was posted inside the building.
It was going to Joliet, Illinois soon.
Toward the end of September, the locomotive is pulling four Zephyr railcars to Cleveland and will deliver them to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The 765 will take people on excursions weekends of September 21 and September 28. They will be riding through the park.
Amtrak is pulling the cars from California to the midwest where the 765 will take over. Two of the cars are sleek stainless-steel passenger railcars that offer scenic 360-degree views from a dome. One is the Silver Lariat and the other is the Silver Solarium. The other cars are a sleeper car and a baggage car. The volunteers at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society are excited that their locomotive is part of this historical event.
Steve wearing his 765 cap.
