The Quiet Star of American Preservation | The Tale of Nickel Plate Road 765 | History in the Dark

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• First Fire Up | Nickel...
• Steam Locomotive's Fir...
• Smoke Around Gotham | ...
• Steam on CSX | Nickel ...
Nickel Plate Road 765 is a Berkshire steam locomotive that was fortunate enough to be preserved and put back into excursion service by a non-profit group of volunteers. Her story often falls into the background compared to more famous locomotives, but she had a tremendous impact on the future of heritage locomotive operation.
0:00 - Intro
3:38 - Origins
7:56 - Return to Service
15:20 - Rebuild and Revival
23:10 - Continuing Legacy
"Nickel Plate Road 765 is a class "S-2" 2-8-4 "Berkshire" type steam locomotive built for the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, commonly referred to as the "Nickel Plate Road". In 1963, No. 765, renumbered as 767, was donated to the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where it sat on display at the Lawton Park, while the real No. 767 was scrapped in Chicago in 1964."
🚂 Further reading 🚂
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#history #documentary #truestory

[@Ohiotrucker1]

If you live in FT Wayne or south of Cleveland, 765's whistle is a well-known and welcomed sound.

[@DASCO2136]

I live in Brecksville, south of Cleveland and do volunteer work for FWRHS. One morning, when she was down on the CVSR for excursions, I was leaving my apartment to head to work, when I heard a distinct steam whistle in the distance. I just chuckled as I knew there was only one place where it came from

[@michaelkraley2456]

I live in Seven Hills which is right up the street from Brecksville steam in the valley is awesome haven’t missed it since I found out about it. That was five years ago but hopefully they bring her back nothing like seeing an incredible piece of history thundering through the valley.

[@Alco16-251F]

Ikr?! A wonderful sound for railfans

[@TrainBoi6095]

I believe that she deserves the title "Indiana's Steam Queen"

[@user-lj2sc8hy3l]

YES I VOTE YES indiana gang

[@alexmartinez5859]

Hoosier living in Fort Wayne, here. I vote “yes”, with nary a chance for “no.”

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

“Nickel Queen”

[@justahillbilly7777]

Fun fact that most probably haven't thought of before: 765 was the engine on the head end of the longest passenger excursion, by consist length, in American history. First day of the 1992 New River Train, the consist was made up of THIRTY THREE full size passenger cars, it's tool car number 701, and it's auxiliary water tender. On the, uh, The Roundhouse podcast by Nick Ozorak, Rich Melvin tells of how he got the 765 to do either 60 or 65 miles per hour up Scary Hill with that consist just to prove the road foreman assigned to the run as part of the pilot crew wrong because Rich had thanked him the morning before on behalf of FWRHS for the increased speed over prior runs being allowed by CSX and the foreman had said they wouldn't see that speed until they were on the other side of Scary Hill. Well safe to say it seems like Rich took that comment kinda personal and that road foreman ended up being VERY impressed with the capabilities of the 765 whilst it was going UP Scary Hill. What's fascinating to me about that performance is that 765 isn't even the most powerful excursion locomotive in operation. With that in mind, I can't help but wonder what an engine like 1225, 2716, 611, or 1218 can really do, especially the 611. I seriously think that the 611 could haul a fully loaded 40 car New River Train at 70 or 75 MPH on the Hinton-bound run if that sorta performance were to ever be demanded of the engine.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

Considering that 611 was built to pull heavy passenger trains at speed through the mountains of West Virginia, that sounds doable.

[@jwrailve3615]

I don’t know much about 611 but is it being retired for good for the foreseeable future or is it going through it’s fra inspection?

[@rdfox76]

1225 actually did pull the New River Trains the one year that 765 didn't. As it turns out, she actually wasn't as good at pulling them as 765--her taller drivers (by all of one inch) meant that she had slightly less torque available than 765, so 1225 ended up struggling more with the mountain grades and she ended up about ten miles an hour slower than 765 with the same train. She's not bad, she's just more optimized for flatland operations than 765... but that does mean that she isn't quite as good in the mountains that you'd have trouble finding on the old PM lines between Grand Rapids and Detroit.

[@Aquatarkus96]

I wish Santa Fe 5000 gets to do all that some day. She could put up some crazy numbers

[@crocowithaglocko5876]

@@rdfox76the 1225 and 765 both have 69 inch drivers

[@matthewpowell2429]

Interestingly, C&O 2716 was the first Steam Locomotive I ever saw, apart from the engines at Walt Disney World, and like you with 765, I had no idea how famous she was. I've already seen 765's sisters 763, 757, & 759, but I hope to someday see 765 running on the high iron in person.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

You forgot to mention that in 2015, 765 undertook an incredible excursion to the Leigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thrope Pennsylvania to meet Reading and Northern 425, and they both did amazing whistle battles during 765s visit

[@OKFrax-ys2op]

Dad and I rode the excursion pulled by the masquerade 765 down to Pittsburgh when you were a little tyke, on that special day! The weather was beautiful too!

[@michaellyvers4997]

I grew up with this locomotive being my play ground. My father is still active still on this locomotive. He is one of the few to get lifetime achievement awards. He was part of the crew who rebuilt it on Ryan road. Which is ironic. It's right down the road from it. Also I believe it was the last steam locomotive to leave Lima. Not last built. But I remember it was stored there and work was performed on her there. I remember visit the Lima locomotive works. Before it was destroyed.

[@epichotdog8056]

Back when I was a kid my brothers, dad, and I would ride our bikes down to watch her during the 01 to 05 rebuild. Awesome sight as a kid! Definitely my favorite locomotive.

[@alejandrocordero2492]

The ending, I swear, is so God, damn, freaking, BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! ✅💯🏅🏆🥇😭🤩⭐

[@trainglen22]

Such a beautiful locomotive. So glad that she is still doing excursions.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Same, She's one of my favorites and the reason I got into railfanning

[@kodachromerailroadvideos6571]

I feel like this video is gonna be one of those videos that sets a president onward

[@michaelhawk6847]

Which president?

[@tylerrose5232]

@@michaelhawk6847 probably Biden cause this comment doesn’t make any sense

[@kodachromerailroadvideos6571]

@@michaelhawk6847 Joe, aka Metra 218

[@hillhog8805]

I know what you mean about core memories. When I was little, my parent took me to see the USS Alabama. I still to this day, remember the sight of the giant battleship looming out of the fog that covered Mobile Bay as we drove up. It was breath taking, awe inspiring, and something I will never forget.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

When I was very young, my grandfather lived in Pennsylvania, and he would occasionally take my family and me to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania close to where he lived. About a decade later when I had a renewed interest in steam locomotion, I saw a picture of a PRR steam locomotive and found it rather familiar. I still remember the Tuscan Red of the passenger cars, though I haven’t been in many years.

[@natemuska7252]

Great video again, 765 is a star in her own right. I still remember the ad featuring 756 where the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society teamed up with the Coca Cola to create something truly special; a real treat for railfans.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

I actually rode behind her in October 2013

[@spagelsmegal]

That reminds me as a kid my dad owned a florist in nsw Australia about an hour out of Sydney right next to a station so I have vivid memories of seeing steam locomotives going past that florist especially I remember seeing NSWGR 3526 flying past our shop

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

I am glad that NKP engine 765 was preserved and is able to operate in excursion service during the modern railroading era, I enjoy seeing footage of engine 765 in operation as this is one of the Nickel Plate Road's most popular examples of steam power. The Berkshire (2-8-4) type locomotives were the Nickel Plate's most popular examples of steam power and it's great to see that 6 NKP Berkshire type engines still exist today being preserved for public display observation.

[@MarkWick]

Well done. I have loved steam locomotives since I was in the cab of on during its' trail run in Glasgow, Scotland, in1956 or '57. I was happy that the 587 got a mention here. I covered her move from Broad Ripple Park in Indianapolis, for the Associated Press, and I also covered her first excursion runs to Logansport, Indiana, for AP. Later I rode behind her and covered her runs leading the Indiana State Fair train during my years at the photographer of the Indiana State Fair. One of my photos of her billowing steam is permanently on display at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

[@andrewworman1200]

Between November of 2015 and May 2016 765 went under the 1467 day inspection of 15yr inspection directed by the FRA. The boiler was striped down and tubes flues and super heaters were pulled. In May of 2016 she was fired back up for a steam test just before leaving for Chicago trips.

[@antonelang9118]

765 is a ROCK STAR!!!

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Yeah because she's a superstar in the preservation world now

[@harrisonallen651]

Nice to hear your first memories of seeing a steam engine in public, would’ve been a major upgrade after watching countless hours of Thomas videos on good old vhs.

[@rexmyers991]

I have visited her in New Haven on many occasions. I was there on two occasions when she was under steam and moving up and down the track for tests, AND, I rode an excursion in 2018. What a thrill. She is a beautiful example of great American steam power.

[@Nkp757railfan]

Will always be my favorite :) see her MANY times even have blown the whistle.

[@roberthoffhines5419]

Every time you get near 765 doing her job, freakin' EVERYBODY is smiling! quite an honorable legacy. Long may she steam.

[@sp786fanboy9]

For your next railroad story, I was thinking you should talk about the East Broad Top Railroad. Although, I now also think you should start talking about British locomotive builders just to make your overseas fans happy. Even if it would cost you your ongoing streak of *not* having to talk about BR.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

Just avoid anything before 1948, or talk about narrow-gauge tourist lines. That will prevent talk of BR. But then again many of these builders continued into the 1950s, some making diesels, so IDK how to avoid British Railways.

[@adamcravener11]

765 is the first steam locomotive I saw in person which was in Pittburgh..

[@e-train765]

AHHHH!!!! I'VE LONG WAITED FOR THIS VIDEO!!! Well done sir!!! WELL DONE!!! 👏👏👏👏 Some interesting facts to note: - NKP 767 may have been the locomotive to break to ribbon for the elevated NKP project; but the first revenue train to actually use the elevated track was pulled by 765. - In 2016, 765 was renumbered to 767 to pay tribute to her display days, and if I'm not mistaken (correct me if I'm wrong) I beleive 765's aux water tender is still numbered as 767A. - 765's trip around the Horseshoe Curve was actually heavily inspired by NKP 759's trips around the curve. Seriously I am SO happy you got around to talk about my favorite locomotive; you're so lucky to have seen her in 1993. I found out about her in 1994 (I was 4 yrs old at the time and she was already taken out of service then) but when she started coming to Ohio and visiting the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad I got to see her in person for the very first time, and I cried because I was so happy to see her in person and not through videos and pictures. My grandfather was an engineer on the NKP back in the steam era, I got to hear LOTS of stories about the NKP Berkshires, and yes he was at the throttle of 765 many times during her first career. I've been very fortunate to see her many times on her visits to CVSR, I was there for the 'Berkshires in Bellevue' when she reunited with 757 (they locomotives even did a whistle blowing event), I chased 765 when she was doing the NS employee trips out of Bellevue, Ohio. She's going to be VERY busy over the next few years with the Indialana rail experience. Again THANK you SO MUCH for this video, it's brought a big smile to my face

[@Marquetteproductions]

Perfect timing riding her Sunday

[@liammccann5661]

I grew up in New Haven, IN and Nickel plate road ran right behind my house. The facility where this train was restored is just a few miles from my old house. The whistle was always a welcome sound compared to the diesels when she is brought out for excursions.

[@kylegarlinger4178]

Last I knew (Indiana resident), they had changed plans and are no longer part of the Riverfront Project and are trying to build new facilities somewhere near Angola which is where a lot of there Indiana Rail Experience excursions leave from. I could be wrong though.

[@Nkp757railfan]

You are correct

[@mssuxmyass]

Darkness, thankyou for sharing your memories with your dad, I enjoy them as they remind me of trainspotting with my dad... I may have pennies squashed by the daylight, but you saw Kinzua viaduct still standing, it close, but the win goes to you and your dad 😃

[@jaywilliams1525]

Will be riding behind this engine this weekend

[@mrsrmp]

The most beautiful locomotive for me

[@JackCarsonsRailroadVideos]

Love the intro bit

[@LakeVillaRailProductions]

I actually filmed the first Indiana rail experience last year god that trip was amazing beautiful engine my favorite excursion engine

[@Lucas-wg4gs]

i saw it a few weeks ago, even rode in the cabin of the locomotive. it was indeed a once in a lifetime expierience.

[@jazeroth322]

What a train! Thanks darkness for an excellent video (they are all excellent tbh). I hope one day you get the free time to get a ride on this amazing train.

[@JerzeyBoy]

Speaking of Milw. Road #261? You need to do a full history of her. She's been my favorite just under Strasbourg #90.

[@RyohuHajimeRX-0UnicornGundam]

Can you do a history video about N&W 578? It's one of the most forgotten steam excursion stars from the N&W.

[@zachpetersen9425]

I have seen this excursion star twice. 2016 with the Varsity Excursion from Chicago, IL to Janesville, WI(former Milwaukee Road Trackage) and the 1st run of the day of the 2018 Joliet Rocket(Joliet to Lasalle Street Station(Former Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Trackage). Both times were epic, especially the Joilet Rocket. I got her really going at least 60MPH. She is in my top 5 steam excursion stars.

[@srajfnly2]

Love the intro Darkness

[@joshuarichie6069]

Finally, I have waited so long for you to talk about this one

[@vaclavmacgregor2464]

What we were aking for a video about Nickel Plate Rods Ns looking forward!

[@johnoneill5661]

That is such a great early memory to have and now you can truly cherish it. 👍😊

[@davemachoukas6175]

Great video! Thank You!

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

I'm impressed that you actually unintentionally saw a time when 765 was masquerading as another locomotive. I am sure that it must have been awesome to see her when she was C&O 2765.

[@wdd6864]

Keep up the great work on the videos. Excellent videos again

[@Marc_von_Hoffrichter]

What a great story. Thanks cobber. Appreciated.

[@vp.7002]

Great video darkness, never knew that 765 had that long of a history

[@lukemendel8197]

yes. awesome, wholesome video. you are awesome

[@phantombrakeman4983]

I saw the 765 in the Ft Wayne park back in 1971 when my parents drove us to Ft Wayne to buy used Lionel trains a Krull's Hobby shop. Went to New Haven in 1979 see her run up and down the track they had her on. Chased her from East Wayne yard, I think it was her first main line run to Muncie, IN and back. Now that you say Lima correctly, maybe we can work on Wabash and Hoosiers. LOL Looking forward to her running on Indiana Northwestern railroad this year. Love your videos and looking forward to the next one.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

When 765 was built during World War II the Battle of Peleliu in the Pacific theatre raged on and in Europe the Allies were marching towards Germany via Operation Market Garden and later Hurtgen Forest

[@SimonTekConley]

Went to HackerCon in west Virginia one year, wasn't feeling well so I stayed in my hotel room. At one point I woke up to see a steem engine pass by across the river in in Charleston. Even half awake I was stoked

[@twiellie]

Saw a short recently of 765 slipping her wheels for a drivetrain checkup. Not only did it look amazing, but I'm sure she absolutely loves her small moments of stretching her legs. 😌💛

[@mr.mckinneysautomotivecent851]

You guys are so lucky.

[@connorspaulding171]

I actually saw her and rose on her while she was at the cuyahoga valley scenic railroad for steam in the valley last year and it was the first regular steam locomotive (excluding shay locomotives and narrow gauge locomotives) since I went to steam town in 2012 and rode on 3254

[@mikeb2256]

I have an N Scale model of NP 738 and tender made by Walthers "Heritage Steam Collection #7470", never been out of the box, cool to hear the story of a sister loco to my model.

[@calebsswagtrains9111]

I’ll be there soon 765! I have a lot of dates planned to ride behind her

[@davidstrainsandlego]

My favorite locomotive

[@jwrailve3615]

Growing up I would pray to get stuck by a slow mover at the crossing in Bloomington yard Texas. As a little kid I always imagined what it looked like when steam ran down the brownie, well, CP 2816 will more than likely be taking its way down through that same yard and I never thought I’d see the day but it looks it might be coming very soon. As a kid I’d only ever seen one caboose ever used through there, but back in the late 90’s early 2000’s it was very common to see SP bloody noses, bnsf pumpkins and warbonnetts, and sd90macs and I’ll always remember the first time the UP started having the American flag on the sides, nowadays although UP still owns the trackage, kcs (cpkc) is now the majority of traffic with trackage rights as both east and west of that section is kcs (cpkc) rail. Just two weeks ago I did see csx 7777 and wondered if I messed up by not taking a photo as it made me think of the movie unstoppable. I wouldn’t see an operating steam loco until 2019 when big boy made its way down south with the George bush diesel, literally teared up as I thought I’d never see one in person much less one operating. But seeing 2816 and it sounds like in the next year or so SP 982 will be running Texas coastal excursions it’s a good time to be alive with the steam revival.

[@keithjones589]

have you ever covered UP 844, I'm not sure I've seen any solo vid on it. but it is the only steam engine that was never retired

[@robos3809]

Can we get a video on the southern rail excursion star 4501 yet

[@winkelmannchannel971]

That's my most photographed steam locomotive of all time I live right where steam in the valley usually occurs

[@thesudricmerman3318]

i have a simler story when i was around 2/3 year i met my first steam locomotive this beening A4 60007 sir nigel gressley back in late 90s wise he was at the north Yorkshire moors railway and still love him to this very day.

[@andrewwatkins4852]

i know her 2765 i had her exscursions huntington wv to hinton wv part of the great american scenic railroads i also had cass scenic railroad she was famous for the trip new river gourge i highly recomend going on

[@liquefactionist]

At least she is out there for you to meet! Not chainsawed up to scrap.

[@bdub215]

I don’t think I’d define 765 as a quiet star. It’s a pretty popular locomotive. There’s videos of it doing 70+ mph on metra’s rails and most people with steam don’t push their equipment that hard. The real “quiet” star is probably reading 2102.

[@regularguy7266]

Nah, the Reading T1's were extremely popular ever since the Iron Horse Rambles, they are not silent at all. There are way better choices of quiet stars out there than 2102.

[@RyohuHajimeRX-0UnicornGundam]

I can relate. I was the same when I was little.

[@FreihEitner]

When you keep shouting "Merry Christmas" I keep thinking of Jerry Lewis saying, "Nice lady!"

[@kevinbeverly4086]

She runs through Angola on excursions and thats about 25 minutes from my house.

[@obelic71]

Funny how a memory of a young child can last. I still have a strong memory of my young childhood (3-5 years) that i was very angry that a small electric engine was "forced" to haul such a long passenger train. Only when i was about 16 years old i could understand why that "little" engine (NS 1100 /SNCF 8100 class ) hauled that passenger train.

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

The master of disguise, the TF2 spy, NPR 765

[@pmsteamrailroading]

If you look into it, you will find that PM 1225 has an even more interesting story.

[@carolinerichmond1256]

Fun fact She was built After the Pure marquette1225

[@A_Lazy_dude]

765 is known being the last steam engine on the nickel plate pier to its later retirement that same day on June 14, 1958 speaking of June 14 that was 1 day ago

[@hunterstearns5594]

Can you talk about Pere Marquette 1225 next please

[@MultiMoveman]

This runs right behind my house in darien

[@sudriansignalman9387]

Great video as always, but as someone who has lived near the kanawha and little kanawha rivers my whole life, that's a..... interesting way to say that lol

[@user-jk2bj8xz7o]

I just seen her a few weeks ago

[@SimonTekConley]

If you do 1225, stop by Grand Haven and visit 1223

[@user-qp8fj1xn2o]

Am i the only one who wants a top 5 new build staem engines video

[@GhostKnight5]

Idea for a locomotive story Reading 2100

[@douglaswilliams8882]

Hey can you do a video on nkp 587 please

[@TTTEclub]

That part made me laugh

[@TTTEclub]

History in the dark: pere marquet oh my gosh its christmas

[@rachelandwade3607]

5 others are still around.

[@csxnspittsburghdivision8580]

Is that on the csx line Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroad line

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

I feel like something should be said about the S class Berkshires Let’s put them in S tier

[@YoLo-bb2vc]

oddly the berkshire is one of the few american loco's i find myself liking alot! and i am not afraid to admit my british bias because im from England

[@DiamondKingStudios]

I can kind of see that. When I started getting into trains in middle school, I tended to focus more on British steam locomotives, partly because I thought they looked smoother on the outside and more colorful than the locomotives here in the US. Okay, maybe watching “Thomas and Friends” in preschool contributed to that, but otherwise, they constructed beautiful steam locomotives in England, a belief further reinforced by a recent trip to the National Rail Museum in York. 4472 wasn’t there that day (probably due to excursions), but I got to see 4468 and other exemplary vehicles.

[@kristoffermangila]

I once read in Trains Magazine (it was a reader's reminiscence) that British and American steam locomotives can be compared as cars: British steamers can be likened to Rolls-Royces, Americans, to Jeeps.

[@RailPreserver2K]

Ah 1993 the year free willy and other great stuff came out

[@user-xj3sm3ld1b]

Waltuh, were gonna restore the steam locomotive Waltuh

[@fortwaynerailroad]

My man, how do you use our images and film footage without asking permission or dropping a link? Major Bummer.

[@HistoryintheDark]

I apologize, I meant no ill-intent at all as I have great respect for what you guys do and am a big fan of 765 myself. Clearly, it's a tad late to be asking permission, but I did add links to the video footage in the description. Again, I am very sorry.

[@matthewpastrikos7383]

11:30 Guess who just got a cameo? 😏

[@meteosurreal]

666 Likes. Also, when I was driving by in February, 2009, I saw a Steam Engine standing still on the track, possibly on the way to somewhere. It looked like a normal, midsize 4-6-0 to me.

[@brianfalzon6739]

It would be awesome if 611 reunites with 765 again in the future for a second time since 1984, who agrees with that?

[@micoasters]

Right here. Add 1225 I mean oh my gosh it’s Christmas! To that

[@Gabethenwr77]

I hope I see 765 again unless that was 1225

[@michaelpeters7044]

How about the Boone scenic railroad's locomotive history??? They have a steamer. It's Asian built if I remember right.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

You are just a youngster Darkness.

[@huntercoleman460]

Didn’t the engine once have yellow window frames?

[@wasatchrangerailway6921]

WAH-BASH!!!

[@whitetailfox1]

What's all of this locomotion?

[@Hikarii349]

759 walked so 765 could run