http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/hammond-council-may-get-small-pay-boost/article_47989273-4b45-5652-bf10-52919bc82744.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share
The keepers of infamous NKP 765 are recieving yet another Nickel Plate legend, 2-8-2 No. 624.
The FWRHS released this statement on Facebook:
"The Mikado-type locomotives were used in Nickel Plate freight service for over three decades and were the original workhorses for the railroad before Berkshires like the 765 came online. No. 624, pictured here, traveled more than one and a half million miles - the equivalent of more than 60 trips around the earth - before being donated to the city of Hammond in 1955. We think it could stand to go a few more. Stay tuned."
I guess we'll just have to wait and see if the engine is in good enough shape, but it seems they would like to get it running again. Very Exciting.
I wonder how they are going to move it by rail, on its own wheels or flat car?
I found some photos of NKP 624 on RR Pictures Archive.net http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=6000
It was so heart breaking to see this locomotive go from pristine condition to a rusting hulk in 61 years. But thats what happens when a locomotive is donated to a city and that city parks it in an open lot with absolutely no shelter of even fencing to protect it. I do hope that there is enough left to 624 for the FWRHS to restore, at least cosmetically.
Also, I would like to echo what "jumper" said in his post on the Restoring a steam locomotive for operation wasteful? thread. I do believe that restoring an historic locomotive is a noble act. I salute the FWRHS.
Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep 'em rolling! John.
The USRA Light Mikado design was designated class H-6a through H-6F on the Nickel Plate Road. It was a good looking locomotive - 54,724 lbs tractive effort on 63 inch drivers operating at 200 PSI.
Several examples of NKP H-6 "kin" to 624:
641...
641 fireman's side...
636...
636 again...
639...
662 with original tender...
http://www.rgusrail.com/innkp624.html Doesn't look too bad. Of course,it's what's inside that matters.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Thanks for the photos, kgbw49. Those NKP Mikes are nice and beefy looking. Esp when coupled to the 12-wheel tender.
Nice to see it might be moved and preserved for the future generations to see. Rebuilding it is certainly possible. I would guess it will be cleaned up and put on display at their place.
Why someone would remove parts from a historical piece of equipment is beyond any thought. Those headlights and number boards are not easy to handle.
RR
Does anybody know if the box car and caboose are part of the package, or is it just 624 and tender?
Thanks for any intel!
Supposedly, everything goes. The caboose has been burned, so its future is probably questionable. By that I don't mean to imply that the car is hopeless, because I just don't know. I'm sure the Fort Wayne folks WANT to save everything, but they also may be forced to make some difficult decisions. I trust them to do what makes the most sense.
By the way, it's a reefer ---- not a boxcar.
Tom
Thanks, ACY!
And I am glad it is a reefer because they can use it to bring home the bacon for Headwaters Junction!
Excellent news. I wish them very well.
Interestingly, the NKP complained bitterly about taking the first H-6s from the USRA before they bought so many copies!
kgbw49And I am glad it is a reefer because they can use it to bring home the bacon for Headwaters Junction!
Where's the button that makes the "wha wha" muted trumpet sound...
kgbw49I am glad it is a reefer because they can use it to bring home the bacon for Headwaters Junction!
Here, Mook:
Interestingly, NKP H-6 2-8-2 639 was preserved in Bloomington, IL with a smaller tender...
Did the Southern Pacific go throught Bloomington?
kgbw49 Interestingly, NKP H-6 2-8-2 639 was preserved in Bloomington, IL with a smaller tender...
Few, if any, NKP 2-8-2's lasted to the end of the steam era with their original tenders intact. The tender on 639 was rebuilt and enlarged from the original USRA dimensions. It now has a Buckeye 6-wheel truck under the coal space, and a capacity of 19 tons of coal and 16,500 gallons of water. The other two preserved NKP Mikados, numbers 587 and 624, have 22RA tenders. There were a total of 25 22RA's built by Lima specifically for NKP Mikados in 1934. They were very similar (but not identical) to the tenders on NKP Berkshires.
639 has the enlarged cab and Delta trailing truck of later NKP USRA Mike copies. At one time she carried a booster and Elesco feedwater heater.
As for the SP caboose, I have nothing to say.
ACY, thanks for the great detailed history! Here is a picture of 639 showing all of the details you mentioned...
ACYAs for the SP caboose, I have nothing to say.
They gets em' where they gets em'.
I watched NKP 624 slowly deteriorate over the years, and I wouldn't be too suprised if restoration to operating condition would be found to be economically impossible.
That would be unfortunate because a second operable steam locomotive for FWRHS would ensure that when unit one was in for the mandated periodic 1,472 day overhaul processes, the other could continue to pull excursions. That would particularly be of benefit if there are any regularly-scheduled excursions related to operation of their Headwaters Junction development.
But at the very worst, it will be a very-well-cared-for static exhibit for their Headwaters Junction complex, which would still be a good outcome.
We will all be crossing our fingers that they can pull this off, along with their SD9 restoration, and hopefully sending them a few contributions on occasion also.
Here is a link to an interesting document on NKP Mikados...
http://nkphts.org/spottersguides/nkp_2-8-2_spotter_guide.pdf
Well, FWRHS certainly has the people and the expertise to make it happen, the biggest problem. as usual, would be the funds to pull it off. Easily in the one-to-two million dollar range, unless they're really lucky and it's not as bad as it looks.
Interesting thing about the St. Louis NKP line, the road engine would be a S class using the older ALCO early Berkshires, the the Mikes would be behind. The 500 series was probably being transferred back east as a power balancing move.
Most of my pictures were taken at Neoga, Illinois
Firelock76 Well, FWRHS certainly has the people and the expertise to make it happen, the biggest problem. as usual, would be the funds to pull it off. Easily in the one-to-two million dollar range, unless they're really lucky and it's not as bad as it looks.
Any steam locomotive sitting outside for almost sixty years can be rebuilt if the money is available. Tha might include a new boiler, but that would probably side line the project for most rebuilds. I was in the UK when the A1 was being built new and got to see the running gear on display at York before the boiler was finished.
If only we could get one of the billionaires to fund a project like this one.
Looks like the lagging over the firebox area of the 624 has been missing since at least 1978 - that can't be too good.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Lagging and sheet metal's gone all right, not just over the firebox but over the whole boiler as well. There's an old C&O Kanawha on diplay here at the Science Museum of Virginia that's the same. I suspect it disappeared during an asbestos abatement job. Everybody's terrified of asbestos nowadays.
Not trying to minimize the hazard, mind you.
BaltACDLooks like the lagging over the firebox area of the 624 has been missing since at least 1978 - that can't be too good.
Preservation experts over on RyPN have just gotten done saying it's a really good thing, and increases 624's chances ... less nasty wet fluff to hold moisture and oxygen against the boiler steel. In general, if you can't be 100% certain the lagging is intact all the way around, you're probably better off in the long run taking it off.
Here are a few pictures of NKP 2-8-2 587 during its excursion career. Who knows? Maybe we will see one of these roll again some day along with 765...
And just for fun, how about this NKP Hudson on freight?
Capping the stack and removing the lagging are the two best things you can do for a locomotive being stored outdoors for years. Oh, and keeping a layer of paint on it too.
Well I definitely wish FWRHS luck on this and since I am a member I hope I will have the chance to work on it. I will keep you posted.
Good! We love information from the informed. We'd also love to hear any news about the 765 as well. Thanks!
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