NKP 765 on the Mainline - Horseshoe Curve and Beyond

These scenes and more in "LISTEN FOR THE WHISTLE", available on DVD and BluRay:
fortwaynerailroad.org/product...
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society is a highly professional group of volunteers that are dedicated to the preservation and operation of this beautiful locomotive. Consider donating time or money to this organization.
Visit their website at: www.fwrhs.org
Nickel Plate Road #765 has made some historic trips around Horseshoe Curve and other portions of the Norfolk Southern and Reading & Northern systems. This video includes footage from 2012 through 2015, when 765 was part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam Program.
This video also contains a brief appearance of the Reading & Northern's #425 steam locomotive, as the two locomotives met while they were both operating simultaneously on the Reading & Northern's Lehigh Line.
*Note: some of these scenes were used in Listen for the Whistle, a production by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and Kelly Lynch.
0:00 Enroute to Altoona
1:50 Horseshoe Curve
3:30 At Speed
4:56 Rockville Bridge
6:10 Duncannon
6:43 Lewisburg
7:09 Horseshoe Curve Park
7:55 Near Latrobe
8:45 Pittsburgh
9:46 Enroute to Harrisburg
11:00 West Virginia
13:10 Pacing
14:23 Kudzu
15:00 Tunnel
15:32 Passing a Freight Train
15:50 Jim Thorpe
17:18 A Meet with R&N 425
18:10 The Lehigh River
19:00 Smoke Rings

[@steamenginefan100]

nothing can beat the haunting beauty of an N&W Hooter, especially its echo...

[@fuscoproductions]

Yeah, it’s a great whistle! Especially fitting running through the ex-N&W territory in West Virginia.

[@Corneli-l8r]

That whistle reminds me of N&W 1218 😪

[@aiforus]

OMG! THIS here is one of THE BEST SERIES of PHOTOVideo I have ever seen for STEAM of any kind! WOW!! GREAT JOB JOSEPH FUSCO and the personnel! Wow.

[@PennsyPro]

Absolutely outstanding. This is the stuff feature films are made of.

[@SteamPower4ever]

Brilliant recordings, Sir. Absolutely brilliant and inspirational. Chapeau! Love the smoke rings at 19:00 :-)

[@laaeeh]

I have never seen that before in my life xD

[@firelynx1108]

BWOAH!!!

[@EngineerDaylight]

Ive Never seen a Steam Locomotive do that, EVER.... until now

[@That_Thicc_Cat]

I think my favorite part of the video was definitely when 765 had the N&W hooter, excellent work

[@fuscoproductions]

Thank you! Yes the N&W hooter is haunting, especially considering it was running on ex-N&W rails.

[@awizardalso]

I've loved steam locomotives since I saw the first one up close in 1957 when I was three years old and the memory is still in my head. I'm even happier to see many brought back to life and up and running. The best one so far is the Union Pacific 'Big Boy' #4014. Thank you Joe Fusco for posting this.

[@warhawkplane9564]

11:25 NPR 765 now has the 1218 hooter whistle

[@peppy_c]

Who else just loves the fact that they put 2 beautiful whistles on thsi beauty!

[@b3j8]

Man I love that sharp, crisp Berkshire exhaust! Outstanding location selection. as well! THANK YOU for sharing this!!

[@Tommyr-ki5mt]

I never like or comment on any videos, but this one was amazing. Hands down the best I've seen. Thanks for sharing.

[@OctoberChad]

13:28 I love this shot!

[@565fan]

Another fantastic video, Joe! You caught some fishermen again, too! Keep up the good work!

[@fuscoproductions]

"again"... the only other time I can recall catching fisherman was at Tobyhanna in 2007. Is that what you are referring to? Also, thanks for the compliments! :)

[@milaraplanes3428]

The latest in a string of superb videos. Well done! I love that you let the engine do all the talking too. And what a magnificent loco!

[@HaleHunterz]

611 will always be my favorite but those Berkshires have a great sound when running at speed.

[@MPT_Productions]

WOW... JUST WOW. Excellent video!! Really wish I could've seen these events, but they were well before my chasing days. Really wish some of these events could happen again.

[@timu438]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! A truly enjoyable series of shots of one of the most beautiful machines the world has ever seen or heard.

[@FoxIslandRailroadCo]

This is an audio masterpiece. I don’t know how you got these drone shots to sound so good… but you’re a legend.

[@fuscoproductions]

Thank you! There are no drone shots. It’s all camera and tripod work. I do pay careful attention to audio - I think it’s just as if not more important than the actual image. I’m glad you like it!

[@JERY-03JR]

4:52 the best whistle of the Nkp 765

[@VincesArtDesigns]

Absolutely phenomenal footage and the camera quality is second to none!

[@atsfevan0242]

Interesting fact 765 and 425 met twice first time back in the 80s and then again in 2015 which was around the time 425 got a new blue paint scheme which I like a lot

[@fuscoproductions]

Another fun fact - 425's paint job was expedited so that it could make its debut for when 765 came to visit. In fact, the paint job is unfinished here, although it is hard to tell. The wheels still have the old "chalky blue" faded paint on them, while the rest of the engine is done up in the new darker blue.

[@atsfevan0242]

@@fuscoproductions yeah that's 1 thing I noticed also didn't know she got it right around the same time 765 visited nice to learn that thanks for the interesting fact

[@dianaprout4757]

Wow, great video!

[@reidselby2569]

Outstanding ! Thank you for your effort and for posting this gem of a video.

[@RobbieBoy33]

Brilliant masterful photography, well done.

[@dennislivesey8282]

As always, the Fusco does not disappoint. Superb video, you got it all.

[@UrbanDKaye]

Love the chase and pacing shots. Great job.

[@djlau1]

I normaly dont cry alot but from minute 13:00 had and pretty decent emotional cry moments of joy the sound the low loud steam wisle and the chase part was so joyfull i litraly cryd of happyness. Sorry for bad typing i suffer dislectic

[@tylergreen4843]

9:10 to 9:24 is that c&o 2716's whistle, it sounds like it when c&o 2716 was running in the 1990s

[@jessebeaupre5074]

Thank You!!!! This was Awesome

[@ChargerusPrime]

Gotta love hearing 1218's ghost rise again and scream out through the hollers once again.

[@Rwalt61]

Excellent video. Sights and sounds not heard to often today.

[@newriverproductions12]

Wow. This video is astounding. It’s crazy how NS goes from this to only ferry moves.

[@PennRailVideos]

I honestly don't think there is a better video on the internet of a steam locomotive with the bell above the smokebox than this one. This video proves that steam locomotives with bells above the smokebox are scientifically more efficient and more aerodynamic.

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

I would agree. SP&S 700 (4-8-4) has it's bell above the smokebox, but SP 4449 (4-8-4) has it's bell below the smokebox. I think both locomotives have capabilities of tremendous power and great speed. I've ridden a doubleheader with SP&S 700 and SP 4449 in 2005 (yes, there was an Amtrak P42DC in the consist), and I can easily say that both SP&S 700 and SP 4449 can keep a passenger train consist of at least 17 cars moving at a steady 70 MPH+! If only SP&S 700 and SP 4449 could pull a mainline excursion again! I hate how railroads like Amtrak, BNSF Railway, Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and even regional/shortline railroads like Genesee and Wyoming's Portland and Western Railroad (PNWR) here in Oregon have all mostly turned against steam excursions, private cars, and special trains. It's a great money-maker, and great for the marketing/PR value for any host railroads. I'm hoping that UP will send either UP 4014 and/or UP 844 out here to the Pacific Northwest (Northern California, Oregon, and Washington), for a tour next year in 2021. I'd especially love to see UP Big Boy 4014 in person!

[@dumptruckdave423]

Nickel Plate High Speed Service lives on !!! 👍

[@amtrakandcsxrailfanning351]

great awesome vide and catches of NKP 765 on the line to the horseshoe Curve and Pittsburg are out these years with these different trains on it nice whistle action too by its regular whistle and its others whistle too awesome whistle battle when it met that other steamer towards the end of the video as well

[@kansasstatealerting2424]

Awesome shots

[@fastmail55]

Nicely done indeed!

[@mattdotsonrailfanproductio266]

Dude the quality is indescribable. This video is outstanding. I wish I had the camera Quality you had lol

[@nigelterry9299]

Oh, man, that bass hooter!!! Very much like my beloved British Stanier whistle from the old LMS.

[@rcsrailfaningproductions7418]

This is like a movie scene

[@Trainguy-cg6ww]

Wow what a beautiful train nice!

[@EZ-cz5en]

Would like to see only just NKP 765 pulling. Loved the Pennsylvania Railroad and Conrail heritage units.

[@fuscoproductions]

At 16:00 you will see just that. :)

[@EZ-cz5en]

Joseph Fusco ohh thanks! Didn’t noticed that. Also there’s a NKP heritage unit. :)

[@jjsmith406]

Joe, I like the lens you used at Jim Thorpe. Cool clip!

[@fuscoproductions]

Thanks! It was a 10mm lens if I recall, I rented it specifically for that shot and the “overlook” shot at mountain top. I have yet to purchase an ultra wide lens of my own.

[@drgw489productions]

Who else saw the engine blowing smoke rings

[@rogerlollar4325]

Nice whistle

[@peterrosenquist]

Are these clips seen in Listen for the Whistle out of curiosity?

[@fuscoproductions]

Yes in deed. If you look at the credits you’ll see my name. :)

[@professorx4976]

Fascinating! I like how they lashed up the heritage units with 765. (Didn't they do that with 1074 (Lackawanna) one or two years later also?)

[@thewestatlanticrailway]

5:54 NKP 765 Trainz 6 Chime 7:22 NKP 765 Low Note Penssy 3 Chime

[@cheryltysver6132]

Unfortunate that there few (if any) shots of the entire train, even the rare times when there was no diesel helper to cloud the performance of the steam engine alone. Otherwise, there were a number of very nice vantage points in some of the shots!

[@gttac]

It’s unfortunate but many officials of the railroad don’t want to let it run without a Diesel engine in tow. I don’t think it’s really a helper so much as a helper I’d she were to break down as to not have the train blocking the mainline in the event that a breakdown happens, believe me a lot of people wish it weren’t there (and that includes me) but it’s just there for safety and convenience.

[@tiernanflynn]

12:45 Why does the 755 sound like the NF&W Class A? I’m just curious, because I haven’t seen a video of 765 with it before, and I wasn’t expecting to hear my favorite whistle 😅

[@fuscoproductions]

Tiernan Flynn 765 wore a few guest whistles that were of the same heritage of the rails it was running on. On ex-N&W trackage they used an N&W whistle.

[@tiernanflynn]

Ohh wow! That's really cool!

[@admiralabraham1564]

@@fuscoproductions the N&W whistle wasnt just an old regular hooter, that hooter is off of 1218 they used 1218s whistle in 1 excurtion

[@artismbyjoey779]

IS steam excursions still banned?

[@billcook6156]

Why did they switch out the whistles on it, I wonder?

[@thatoneguy611]

Why does the whistle seem to change halfway through?

[@fuscoproductions]

Because it does! 765 wore several whistles over the course of these trips - sometimes two at once. The main whistle is the Nathan 6 chime, but other whistles featured include a PRR 3 chime and a N&W single-note hooter.

[@HurricaneJahya]

7:13

[@texasandpacific610]

So Norfolk Southern sponsors the excursions? But is not owned by the NS correct?

[@The.lazer.camara.boi.official]

5:57 is the best part

[@fastmail55]

The NKP put whistles on the Berkshires that seemed to scream an urgent need for speed.

[@jaxtoyz598]

Can you make a video of nickel plate road 759 going

[@fuscoproductions]

I would need a time machine first!

[@jacksalvin364]

On the former Pennsylvania Line.

[@fuscoproductions]

The first ten minutes are former Pennsylvania Railroad trackage, followed by Norfolk & Western, Lehigh Valley and Central Railroad of New Jersey.

[@jacksalvin364]

Now owned by Norfolk Southern.

[@hunterwolfscar2287]

It that Steam Train Called R&N #425.!

[@kansasstatealerting2424]

No this is not R&N 425.

[@fuscoproductions]

@@kansasstatealerting2424 It is not, but 425 DOES make an appearance later on in the video. At about 17:20, 765's train passes the 425 hauling a Lehigh Gorge excursion. I was on the Lehigh Gorge excursion, and my friend Mike Huhn was in the 765's tool car shooting from his iPhone. So that means you can actually see me at 17:50 shooting the 765's train as it passes as well. There's also a 30-mile-per-hour high-five that was captured between engine crews. It was a memorable moment, to say the least.

[@steamenginefan100]

How many different whistles did 765 have in this video?

[@fuscoproductions]

Four. The Nathan 6-chime was on the dome at all times, but the whistle behind the stack was changed out between these three (in order of appearance): PRR 3-chime, large diameter 3-chime that I am not sure of its origins, and a N&W single chime hooter.

[@steamenginefan100]

@@fuscoproductions thanks!

[@wolfzillaproductions4563]

Why in the world was 765 wearing 1218’s hooter in West Virginia? XD Nice captures

[@fuscoproductions]

Thank you. The FWRHS decided to use some guest whistles that season - so while it was on former N&W, they used a N&W whistle (not from the 1218, but another engine I can’t recall). Note the PRR 3 chime used when it’s on Pennsy territory.

[@amtrak1214]

Hopefully the next steam locomotive to operate over the Horseshoe Curve will be one that’s very familiar with that route …if you know what I mean ;)

[@timrankin8737]

Would it be a letter of the alphabet. And a number. In a certin order.

[@amtrak1214]

@@timrankin8737 perhaps

[@timrankin8737]

@@amtrak1214 yes I have been following the trust too.

[@amtrak1214]

@@timrankin8737 wait you mean 5550? Nope not that one.

[@timrankin8737]

@@amtrak1214 T 1

[@ogragan3492]

The diesels almost spoil it for me

[@LocoPro]

Greetings, good sir. May I use this audio for a project?

[@fuscoproductions]

Hey! What kind of project?

[@LocoPro]

@@fuscoproductions So, I make Distant Trains ambience tracks, and I want to make a steam train version. Since I have no active steam locomotives nearby, I must get my audio from online, and this audio sounded good. Of course, I must ask for permission first.

[@fuscoproductions]

@@LocoPro go for it - you have my permission as long as you give me credit and post a link to my channel along with it! I’m assuming your project will be uploaded to KZbin?

[@LocoPro]

@@fuscoproductions Yes, sir, the plan is to upload this to KZbin. Thank you so much; I will do all as you have requested. :)

[@ryansrailwayproductions794]

11:12 that is a whistle from a 4-4-0.

[@fuscoproductions]

Ryan, no I don’t believe so. It is from a N&W A or Y class locomotive (can’t remember which!)

[@Saminakapoor]

12:49 what happened to its whistle

[@nicholashuynh6907]

That's 765's secondary N&W Hooter, not its primary Nathan 6-chime.

[@southernpennsyrailfan8579]

When is the next time it will pass the horseshoe curve?

[@fuscoproductions]

Not in the foreseeable future unfortunately!

[@southernpennsyrailfan8579]

@@fuscoproductions oof

[@alishamcdonald7316]

3:40

[@alishamcdonald7316]

10:15

[@alishamcdonald7316]

21:06

[@brenzelatior]

Why does it whistle sound different

[@voidjavelin23]

this is her secondary whistle which uses the N&W hooter

[@brenzelatior]

@@voidjavelin23 thx for telling me she just sounds different from when I took a ride on her around the horseshoe curve

[@rabie95]

NKP 765 need to come back to Jim Thorpe again to meet #2102

[@jordanriley4510]

THE Galaxy Railways 2

[@struck2soon]

TWO diesels!

[@fuscoproductions]

In some scenes. In others there’s one. In some there’s none!

[@tomyrail7468]

765 would carry her sister 759 legacy at horseshoe curve.

[@ajmanderaulakh6376]

Ghaint

[@conroymatthews6776]

2:51 3:40

[@jordanriley4510]

NEVER GiVE UP

[@journeythroughtherails5294]

HA! And people say American trains suck.

[@tommyhunter1817]

Such a shame to see the diesels tagging along.

[@voidjavelin23]

they could have done with bulldog diesel

[@nigelterry9299]

A pox on thos UGLY diesels! NKP 765 is one awesome loco.

[@rongeckle9701]

They need to take that boat whistle off of that train and stick with the Nathan 5 chime whistle

[@rongeckle9701]

Don't anyone know how to pan camera with the steam engine!!!!!!

[@fuscoproductions]

Hey Ron, I believe you’ve commented about this before. Have you watched the whole video? The first couple of shots didn’t feature a lot of camera movement but plenty of other shots did.

[@rongeckle7334]

If these photographers are so professional do they not know how to pan their camera toward the wheels of the steam engine when it goes by who cares about how many cars are behind it then most of times the train goes by and the camera still filming 30 to 40 seconds later people want to see the steam engine not the stupid cars it's pulling pan your camera or are you guys that lazy to do that

[@fuscoproductions]

Hey Ron, I appreciate the feedback. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the video. I did pan the camera with the locomotive in several shots, but not all. It's an artistic choice. For the opening shot under the signal bridge, I couldn't imagine doing it any different. I think a pan shot there would have been disorienting. However, I do wish I would have done a "complete 180 degree" pan at Duncannon Station. I was trying to keep the station in frame and in retrospect I think it may have turned out better if I simply followed the engine. However, I did pan the camera in many instances of this video if you watched the whole thing. Enjoy these pan shots at 3:33, 10:30, and 14:33. Not to mention several other shots where I follow the locomotive for close to a mile (the Rockville Bridge and Horseshoe curve). Cheers. Also - if you enjoy pan shots - I think you'll like one of my most recent videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKHXpqKdr52dnKs

[@rongeckle9701]

Don't anyone know how to pan with the engine wheels, who cares about the cars its pulling

[@MPT_Productions]

I’ve seen you comment this same criticism three times. If you don’t like the video, why do you keep watching? It seems like you must really like the video if you care enough to keep coming back to watch and comment. Additionally, pretty much every shot besides the opening shot has panning of the wheels, so you can always skip the opening shot to watch a great video with some great pans!