Posted on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 8 a.m.
Edward Vielmetti: Nickel Plate 765 steaming through Ann Arbor on its way to Owosso for Trainfestival 2009
By Edward Vielmetti
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society brought Nickel Plate 765, a steam engine, through Ann Arbor on its way to Owosso for Trainfestival 2009.
I heard about the trip on Twitter, and followed the handful of railfans, the curious, and trainspotters who were chasing it as it headed up the Ann Arbor Railroad tracks. You can follow the engine there as @nickelplate765. I managed to get close enough to hear the whistle blow, and very much enjoyed this video captured by Chris Goosman. If I read this right it should be heading back down through Ann Arbor from Owosso on its return trip - look for it and help track it down as it goes, it doesn't have a published schedule.
Of the engine they write:
This is the historic steam locomotive no. 765: a high-stepping, fourteen wheeled magnificent machine that stands 15 feet tall, weighs 404 tons, and goes over 60 miles an hour; restored to the way it looked and sounded when it was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1944.
More information about the train festival:
As part of this year’s largest celebration in railroading, no. 765 will operate a special excursion from Owosso to Alma, Michigan and return on July 26th. From July 23rd to July 25th, the locomotive will be on live steam display with eight other steam locomotives from around the country! For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit www.trainfestival2009.com or call 989-725-9464.
Comments
Duane Collicott
Fri, Jul 24, 2009 : 9:02 a.m.
You know, all this has me thinking that Ann Arbor needs to have some sort of celebration of our railroad heritage some day. There is a lot of history there. I believe the East-West line through Ann Arbor (now the Norfolk Southern) was one of the first lines to Chicago from the East. I've read interesting stories about the days of the "football trains," when thousands of people came to town from all directions by train for home football games. We have the historic depot that is now the Gandy Dancer, and another depot that is a now a day care. We even still have a coal delivery track with a hopper car sitting on it, which was retained when they built that new building on Depot St.
Duane Collicott
Fri, Jul 24, 2009 : 8:45 a.m.
The Ann Arbor Railroad is what's called a "short line," one that operates over a small route. It used to go all the way from Toledo to Ludington, and across Lake Michigan on their ferrys, but these days it only goes as far north as Ann Arbor. The tracks do continue north of Ann Arbor, but they belong to the Great Lakes Central Railroad now. As a result of having such a straight-line route, they don't have any place to turn their engines around, so they are used in whichever direction they're pointing. the engines really don't care which way they go, functionally, as the motors work just as well one direction as the other. The only difference is the view from the cab. You're right, it looks like the black tender (calling it a "car" is blasphemy) is full of coal, which is its job, along with carrying water. The silver car between them might be something the Ann Arbor Railroad needed to haul up to the north end of their line anyway; it is similar to the hopper cars they haul up and back on a daily basis.
Laura Bien
Fri, Jul 24, 2009 : 8:05 a.m.
Very interesting; thank you Mr. C. Forgive me, please, for pressing on here: is there a reason the engines are backwards? And why is the silver hopper car there--I think I glimpsed a pile of coal in the black car behind the Nickel Plate; perhaps the silver hopper car is auxiliary coal storage? Just curious.
Duane Collicott
Fri, Jul 24, 2009 : 7:38 a.m.
Hello again, Laura. There are a couple reasons. First, freight railroads don't want a steam locomotive operating all alone on their trackage, because if it broke down it would disrupt their business, so they are there partly to keep it moving if needed. Second, chances are that the Ann Arbor Railroad is responsible for anything that happens on its tracks, and they wanted to take the lead on that trip to make sure everything works out. When It's similar to the fact that when Amtrak trains run through town they are operated by Norfolk Southern engineers, because that's who owns the tracks.
Laura Bien
Fri, Jul 24, 2009 : 6:51 a.m.
Nice video and picture of this exquisite old beauty. One ignorant question: why are there 2 backwards engines and a hopper car in front of the Nickel Plate? Are the engines helping to pull it, or perhaps there to protect it from a possible collision? Another reason?
bs
Thu, Jul 23, 2009 : 9:32 p.m.
When I was stationed in Korea back in the early 70's, we used to go down to the train station to photograph the steam locomotives going through... I'm sorry I missed this...
Duane Collicott
Thu, Jul 23, 2009 : 8:39 p.m.
Nice video. I love that photo of it crossing the river, too. I wonder how long ago it was the Ann Arbor RR line carried live steam. By the way, the museum told me NP 765 would be hanging around Michigan until October some time, as they have some plans for some excursions within our state.