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Recent Interest In Nickel Plate Road Berkshire...

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  • Member since
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Recent Interest In Nickel Plate Road Berkshire...
Posted by marksrailroad on Thursday, December 21, 2017 4:42 PM

Hi gang. I've recently become smitten with my NKP Berkshire after watching a 30 minute video that was filmed back in the late 1950s just before they were retired. I think it was the great variety of rolling stock that got me hooked. Any other fans of this train out there?.

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  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Thursday, December 21, 2017 4:50 PM

If you count a modern fan as a fan, then yes...

I have gone on day long trips just to see 765, as there is nothing like mainline steam under her own power. 

And, I have seen her on 3 different lines, with 3 very different trains, all hauled at different speeds. 

I have seen her tackle Horseshoe curve, Galatzin Tunnels, Carson Hill (Ashtabula OH.) and the former NKP Cleveland to Buffalo main line.

So, if a fan of 765 counts, then, yes. 

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, December 21, 2017 5:12 PM

marksrailroad
Any other fans of this train out there?

 

I'd say so:

 IMG_4183_fix by Edmund, on Flickr

Regards, Ed

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Posted by dti406 on Thursday, December 21, 2017 9:06 PM

I have about 3 or 4 brass models mostly PFM, Key and PSC.

But as I was going to work a couple of years ago:

Followed it all the way from Peninsula, OH to Akron, OH

Rick Jesionowski

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, December 21, 2017 11:42 PM

I've railfanned it several times, and rode behind it last year...

However, I would have much preferred to have seen one of my hometown's two Berkshires (the only ones owned by a Canadian road) on a fan trip...

...but they were both scrapped in 1953.  As a child, I would have seen them run, almost right past our front porch, but have no particular memory of them over any others seen in those days.

Wayne

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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, December 22, 2017 2:12 AM

I was a 12 year-old whipper snapper when I first rode behind the 759 out of Conneaut, Ohio to Buffalo in September of 1968:

 2016_slides_0055 by Edmund, on Flickr

Oh, do I recall that run back from Buffalo. We were a little late and the trainmaster must have told Doyle McCormac that "it was OK to make up a little lost time" Yes

The following year I witnessed the 759 lay-over in Cleveland while she was on the Golden Spike Centennial special.

 759_CUT_5-4-69hires2 by Edmund, on Flickr

Those were some fun times, indeed.

Thanks, Ed

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Posted by ATSFGuy on Friday, December 22, 2017 8:44 AM

Ed,

Was No.765 a freight or passenger locomotive?

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Posted by dti406 on Friday, December 22, 2017 9:02 AM

ATSFGuy

Ed,

Was No.765 a freight or passenger locomotive?

 

Somewhat both, several of the S-2's were set up with steam and air lines for passenger service as they hauled troop trains during WWII. But they were predominately a freight engine.

Rick Jesionowski

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

  • Member since
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  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
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Posted by dknelson on Friday, December 22, 2017 10:46 AM
 
 
I was at the steam festival in Owosso MI in 2014 when the 765 and near-twin Pere Marquette 1225 (yes, the "Polar Express" locomotive) were both in steam and pulling excursions.  There was a total of 7 (or was it 8?) active steam locomotives that weekend and at the night photo shoot.  That was a heck of a weekend for photography.
Dave Nelson
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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, December 22, 2017 3:46 PM
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Posted by LensCapOn on Friday, December 22, 2017 9:29 PM

Now why would you like them?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf0kfUKY84k

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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, December 22, 2017 10:16 PM

LensCapOn
Now why would you like them?

Thats what Lima Superpower is all about YesYesYes

I remember when just about all the fantrips were run at that speed, and NO diesel back-up either!

Thanks for posting that Big Smile Ed

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Posted by ATSFGuy on Sunday, December 24, 2017 11:04 AM

Is an off the shelf model of either #965 or #1225 available in HO Scale?

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, December 24, 2017 12:02 PM

ATSFGuy

Is an off the shelf model of either #965 or #1225 available in HO Scale?

 

I have a pair of the Life-Like Heritage models from, maybe thirteen years ago. On the second run, if I recall, they added the Mars light on some of the Nickel Plate models Yes

These can be found at train shows or Ebay every once in a while. Both of mine have been running years with no issues at all. The second one I bought has QSI Quantum factory sound which is pretty decent.

http://mrr.trains.com/news-reviews/staff-reviews/2006/11/upgraded-walthers-ho-2-8-4-berkshire-with-sound

 

Bachmann offers several, too.

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HO-Scale-2-8-4-Berkshire-Kanawha-s/1724.htm

 

Good Luck, Ed

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Posted by fmilhaupt on Sunday, December 24, 2017 1:23 PM
Bachmann currently offers models of #1225 and #765 in HO, with or without DCC and sound. In N scale, both are available, but only with DCC and sound.

-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.
http://www.pmhistsoc.org

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Posted by pajrr on Sunday, December 24, 2017 1:49 PM

I was out at Steamtown in 2015 when 765 visited for some excursions. She and 759 were in adjacent roundhouse stalls. It was an incredible feeling to see the sisters together, 765 with a hot boiler and 759 "under repair".

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