Steam in West Virginia Coal Country

Join us in Williamson, Kenova, Portsmouth, and other sites within the Appalachian region as Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765 takes the helm of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam trips for its employees in 2012!
Carrying the whistle from Norfolk & Western Class Y6b class no. 2173, the 765 and her crew at seen hard at work in West Virginia coal country, bringing familiar sights and sounds to a region known for its dyed-in-the-wool mountain railroading. Steam railroading was silenced here on the Norfolk & Western 60 years ago this May - but the echoes and memories live on!
Featuring footage from Kelly Lynch and Joe Fusco. Scenes are not in chronological order.
#NickelPlateRoad765 #NKP765 #WestVirginia

[@fortwaynerailroad]

Where and when was this shot? What whistle is it wearing? Check out the info in the links and subscribe for more content featuring mainline steam locomotives like the 765!

[@TrainWizardProductions]

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society this comment is a hoot! 🤣

[@CrossOfBayonne]

The last time I saw you guys was back in October 2013 during the Wabash Cannonball trip but if you are planning to run the 765 here in NJ like back in the 80s then I would pay a visit.

[@Boxpok]

N&W Hooter, Ahh that sweet sound............

[@brycenew]

Between the opening music, the video and its editing and that lonesome Y6b whistle echoing through those mountains, this is GOLD!!! Those mountains need steam running through em at least nice a year hey 😉

[@zacharieblackburn2283]

Williamson Wv, opening shot was probably the old steam shops. Right on the WV and Kentucky Line. The Pocahontas Division!

[@VincesArtDesigns]

If you shut your eyes it almost feels like 1989 when 1218 was on the rails!

[@ks_56]

especially the rail squeals

[@e-train765]

1218 was there in spirit for these trips, the whistle may have been off a Y6b but still the feeling of 1218 is there

[@That_Thicc_Cat]

Yes

[@1940limited]

I'm sure the whistle did that.

[@simontrainbrainz6038]

I don’t know why, but a steam engines whistle has more soul than a horn.

[@alexpaumen3937]

It has a more resonant sound than a horn because the steam reverberates through the piping similar to the way the air flows through our vocal cords.

[@connormclernon26]

It’s the sound of the dinosaur to me. Of an animal long gone seemingly returning from the grave

[@robkrasinski6217]

But some air horns on diesels can have a nice sound. Like a Nathan K5LA.

[@FerroequusEnterprises]

steam whistle are indeed majestic

[@murmaider2]

Steam engines seem more human because they breathe

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

765 sounds so good with a Hooter! 🚂

[@sooline3854]

Indeed she does! I need to get a model of 765 and somehow get a recording of a hooter onto it. There's something so haunting about the N&W's hooters that I can't put my finger on. The way they echo just adds to it.

[@MrLunchHour2]

Lionel started adding multiple whistles to their models. My new vision line 4449 has 3 whistles and 2 horn sounds. I’m hoping they rerelease 765 again soon

[@brianfalzon6739]

Sounds like a ghost train for Halloween in every October!

[@ToritheGSMR1702-mz3rc]

Yes it does it reminds me of 1218 I miss 1218 so bad it almost makes me wanna cry for her to come back

[@newriverproductions12]

Hearing that hooter brings a tear to my eye. Reminds me of 1218s glory days.

[@Cbazz]

Ikr but actually it's a Y6A whistle but I think they were used for both A & Y6

[@Train_Tok_Man]

Cba$$ That’s a Hooter from a Y6B.

[@1940limited]

Reminds me of the 50s when N&W still moved coal with steam.

[@brianfalzon6739]

Wish mainline steam will return to WV. It's upsetting how mainline steam excursion operations aren't like this anymore! Who agrees with me?

[@djtrainman2]

I do

[@Bassfanatic94]

Excellent! Love the more personal yard scenes at night and early morning...appalachian railroading through and through!

[@fortwaynerailroad]

Thanks! We love those moments, too.

[@goldgamercommenting2990]

@@fortwaynerailroad We need 1218 to come here and be restored to have a hooter contest!

[@Pamudder]

I had the opportunity to rappel off the New River Gorge Bridge on Bridge Day in, I think, 1985. 765 came through as I was descending the rope.

[@Train_Fan_2001]

Good ole old timer leading the way with grandson pushing behind btw I’m talking about the locomotives

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

❤️❤️❤️ The Lazarus whistle... if anything has the ability to wake the dead, it’s an N&W hooter

[@Mr.RailYard-LJLRailYard]

Epic sounding Norfolk and Western Hooter whistle

[@StephenCarlBaldwin]

O. WInston Link would approve of this great video. First rate - 765 has never looked better - thanks for sharing this!.

[@Eggomania86]

Love the sound of that hooter whistle! I also enjoyed the shots early in the morning at the yard while the crew are doing preventive maintenance on the locomotive! It's sad to see we'll never see mainline steam excursions on the east coast ever.

[@Train_Tok_Man]

I LOVE the N&W Hooter, which in my opinion, is one of the best sounding whistles of all time.

[@brycenew]

Ain’t it just?!! I recognised it from old N&W films on KZbin. Lonesome mountain music! Love that sound!!

[@brycenew]

Between the opening music, the video and its editing and that lonesome Y6b whistle echoing through those mountains, this is GOLD!!! Those mountains need steam running through em at least nice a year hey 😉

[@reidthenavyengineproductio7002]

Your not the only one who loves it.

[@1940limited]

It was different, that's for sure.

[@opecno8108]

There is a magic to that Hooter in the hallows, I'm from the Pocahontas coal division, I would've loved to see this. I got to ride behind 611 to Williamson when I was a kid!

[@Cbazz]

I worked on 611 when I was a teenager lol

[@warkisalexandropolius8047]

After a night inside W & P's #21 coal mine, i'd head back up Cowcreek Howler, i'd hear the train whistle of the engine pulling away from the tipple at Little's Creek processing site. Seeing this remindes me of those mornings so long ago. As time passes to even more history i can remember having lived a wonderful life. Thanks for the reminder...

[@leisureshoot]

Imagine being a 75 year old deep in the hollers of West Virginia, and hearing that familiar haunting, beautiful old sound. You rush to trackside to see what... a Y6? an A?.. then.... disappointment and sadness. ;-)

[@leisureshoot]

I'm just kidding. it is awesome to hear the hooter on the 765, and amazing to see it run. Growing up in Bellevue, 765 was always present!

[@VincesArtDesigns]

PROPS TO THE EDITER MY GOODNESS APPLAUSE APPLAUSE INDEED!

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

Single chime is amazing. I dont think its 1218s but it certainly sounds like a class A.

[@fortwaynerailroad]

Details in the description!

[@eoj2495]

Nice to see these restored locos back on track !!

[@1940limited]

A lot of great shots here I hadn't seen before. 765 is sporting the N&W freight whistle for these runs. It's amazing how the crew keeps that locomotive going and visits so many places with it.

[@lnproductions3227]

I love that Y6B hooter that sounds so good on NKP 765! I think N&W Hooters are a very pretty whistle to hear because they have character to them due to their really loud HOOOOOTTTTTT!

[@rogerhuber3133]

What a great combination......an N&W Hooter whistle and an NKP Berkshire! WOW!

[@hsylvester6132]

Love love love. Different music from 765. You guys should hook up 765 with a great symphonic metal band like Apocalyptica.

[@asanewby4273]

Fantastic stuff, y'all! Awesome whistle, awesome engine. Thanks for sharing!!

[@caroleast9636]

I wouldn’t know a Norfolk & Western Hooter from any other line’s but that sure is a beautiful sound

[@danbedford5419]

765 one of my favorite steam locomotives luv them steam locomotives

[@fuscoproductions]

I love what you've done with the footage!

[@TweetsieRailroader]

A very lovely video of a very nice locomotive! I tell you, I was NOT expecting to hear the N&W Hooter on the old girl! That really does sound nice, and brings quite the smile on my face!

[@PennsyPro]

Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing.

[@andyj74]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@jefferybobafett3234]

That Whistle Echos through those Hallers!

[@samsiklas8088]

Nice!!! FWRHS shows off the 765 beautifully and the beginning/end music is perfect. Well done!

[@dennisnevins2774]

N&W hooters make the hair on the back of my neck stand up! One of the best whistles ever. Combine that with the 765 and we have perfection!.

[@NortheastRails]

Great chase shots, but an absolutely amazing intro!!! I just loved those early morning prepping shots! Outstanding job!!

[@fortwaynerailroad]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed 'em!

[@highlandwinterwolf8589]

I second this. The music accompanied it perfectly.

[@trainstorm1225]

Who ever edits these videos does a superb job! Also, looks like poor 765 had a little wheel slip! 1:39

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

Wow! 765’s N&W hooter sounds just like 1218 did back in the day. They even got the nickel plate heritage unit behind 765. What a catch.

[@paulbislin8471]

So, so, so beautiful! Very good job!

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

My gosh what a beautiful film!

[@shawngronachan1087]

Sounds a lot like the N&W's 1218 whistle. Loving every minute of this footage. 👍

[@1940limited]

You're correct.

[@highlandwinterwolf8589]

One of my favorite videos of 765. Lord willing she can doublehead with 587 one day, maybe on NS rails. Daresay 765 looks right at home in the Appalachian hills.

[@ks_56]

that is amazing dude well done!

[@colinmasterson1604]

The sheer size of those American locos is unbelievable.

[@NewEnglandFoamer]

I swear y’all have the coolest guest whistles 😭

[@e-train765]

I know it's from a Y6b, but hearing that N&W hooter on the 765 is like the spirit of 1218 was with her on this trip

[@susbox5554]

I love the loud huff and chuff

[@evanispiheri2282]

Dang it’s so nice to hear n&w 1218’s whistle on that thing, it almost feels like 1218 is there and under steam but sadly it is currently at the Virginia museum of transportation rusting away💀💀💀

[@jay600katana]

Great shots, love seeing 765 on the mainline. 765 on tonnage freights (60+ mph)? I can dream. We need the 80's excursions without the 2020 legal challenges and all would be right in the east again.

[@jltrain-zgamingrailfan202x3]

I wish that hooter whistle would be mounted on Pere Marquette 1225 since it never had a hooter whistle!

[@VincesArtDesigns]

I can’t wait for more videos like this!!!

[@austinniederjohn9813]

Almost sounds like n&w #1218's whistle from the 1990's

[@crudecaboose8382]

Austin Niederjohn it is

[@1chuck96]

I've seen the best of the best, but this video has it the best!!!

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

Love the bridge shot in Kenova!

[@scottpool4777]

It was a very good video thank you very much.

[@Aidan_Rattlehead]

Beautiful N&W sound mixed with one of Lima’s finest..... beautiful combination

[@3900Class]

That hooter really grows on ya

[@jamesbelcherii4365]

My mother loved this video my family is from West Virginia

[@kevp9601]

This is so Awesome

[@kevp9601]

You Rock, Nickel Plate Road Steam Locomotive No. 765. And By The Way, Steam Engine No. 765, You Are Born To Run ! !

[@talesfromsodor]

That whistle sounds like a ghost train! Love it!

[@liamwright3037]

Epic sound and echo of the N&W Hooter whissle

[@cjones3710]

Wonderful. What a glorious place, reminds me of what gretness our nation was.

[@NW-gi1cp]

Hmmm sounds like my whistle.

[@jeremyasher297]

When I heard 765’s hooter in this video, I imagined a scene where a N&W Y class Mallet was struggling up through the mountains with a heavy coal drag.

[@trainfan-ks5hk]

Originally I never cared for the Y6 hooter now I definitely do enjoy it

[@battle604]

Just magnificent

[@kevp9601]

Nickel Plate Road Steam Locomotive No. 765, You Are Born To Run

[@michaelsix9684]

look at the tight curves and rock formations near the tracks, building this railroad line must have been very hard

[@marke8323]

This #765 is out of Ft Wayne (no Coal mines around there!) It was suppose to overnight in my town in July 2011 (Logansport, IN) but must of had a Mech issue, as it showed up the next day and took on Water. I went down and took some Pictures, but they are gone now. I do have a Picure of the Logansport & Eel RR Steam engine after it's last run in Logansport, I didn't know at the time that it would sold that winter in questionible reasons. I lived on the North/South rail line from Portsmouth, OH to Columbus, OH and one day I heard this Boo-Wah Steam Horn blowing from a couple miles away so I went outside to see and it was the SP 4449 (4-8-4 Configuration) under Steam doing a tour to the East coast before returning to the West coast.

[@779nkp]

Great video. I'm quite chuffed about it.

[@fortwaynerailroad]

Same.

[@anonymous1820]

Hi :) subbed

[@FutureRailProductions]

I recognized some of these clips from Listen for the Whistle.

[@TheShoeJr]

It’s really weird hearing 765 with a different whistle. Not bad, just weird. Still, 765 looks just as good as she always does!

[@RailfanKaleb]

I like this music in the beginning

[@kevp9601]

I Love It A Lot

[@hodges-hg6ck]

Very nice hooter

[@clintgates7526]

Same hooter Whistle that N&W A Class 1218 wore . Only this one from Yellowstone type 2173

[@speedy5152]

Oh that hooter is beautiful

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Welp once this pandemic is over there will be more trips like this in the future and knowing that more visitors will come to see the 765.

[@georei]

Love that Banshee whistle!

[@Train_Tok_Man]

Not a Banshee, but a Hooter. Still, it does sound great.

[@CENsystem]

Country rooaaaaaaads Take me hooooooooome To the plaaaaace Where I belooooooooong *W E S T V I R G I N I A*

[@overpoweredsteamproduction513]

MOUNTAIN MOMA

[@andrewtreece3708]

Do you guys have anymore cab footage from the trips westbound out of Altoona? Fantastic editing on this video.

[@RailPreserver2K]

You think y'all could ask the museum in Roanoke if you could have 765 wear 1218s whistle ? Because no one has heard it since 1991

[@thattraindude6204]

Could someone tell me the music that in the beginning I love it

[@cassscenicproductions8888]

Will this 765 ever do the new river trains? If so that would be amazing.

[@stringedservices]

Whats the name of the fiddle piece at the beginning of the video. I'd like to learn it. Awesome video by the way!

[@stevebalmer1672]

Wow!

[@plainsabertooth7828]

What song did you use?

[@wurlitzer1538]

Where those cars on lease or owned by the 765 group? Seemed like they were the usual equipment for the 2012 excursions

[@fortwaynerailroad]

They belonged to Mid America Railcar Leasing.

[@brianangers6182]

ive watched dozens of 765 videos and this is not its normal whistle .-. did they replace it temp with a n&w engine whistle?

[@fortwaynerailroad]

Check out the description for more information!

[@matthewcounterman9200]

whats the name of the song they used

[@grantwallace7989]

Not the whistle I ember but I like it!

[@joenayrikafletcher738]

It almost is like nkp 765 is singing for the y6bs

[@stevensainerailfanproductions]

Was this whistle ever on 1218? It’s sound so similar.

[@fortwaynerailroad]

They used the same style of whistle, so it's virtually identical.

[@kevp9601]

I Am Never Pressing The Dislike Button Forever and Ever

[@lasalleman]

Great shot around 3:46.

[@thundercreekcustoms]

Man, hearing that N&W hooter echo off the Appalachians...

[@onionhat9141]

Sounds like a N&W Y6B hooter whistle

[@overpoweredsteamproduction513]

A Y6b WHISTLE!!! Damn

[@fortwaynerailroad]

HOOT

[@TrainmanAndy]

The hooter is the fireman whistle right?

[@fortwaynerailroad]

Trainman Andy guest whistles are no longer operated by the fireman. This particular one was operated by the engineer.