765 pouring on the smoke

Nothing like hand held videos of a slow moving train!

Bad coal, no doubt!

That sure was a lot of smoke for the speed.  I wonder if the guy in the diesel was in reverse adding to the load.

More load would probably have helped the Fireman a lot, producing a lot less smoke. Plus, doubt that there is an "Engineer" in the diesel anyway, since NKP 765 does have an MU Control Box in its cab, so the Engineer can remotely control the trailing diesel.

Outstanding camera work...

It was a joke.  I realize they just have to tow the diesel along in case the steamer breaks down on any major route.

Actually, that's the Heritage diesel.  I believe Rich told me that there will be a Heritage diesel behind the 765 on all of their NS-sponsored trips.

Gee, I wonder what the maximum track speed is there, looked like she was

pretty close to the crossing when the gate finally went down.

Ed

Ed,

Many newer grade crossing protection devices are now "speed sensitive", plus 765 had stopped prior to the crossing where the video was taken.

Perhaps true, but I've also been told by what I presumed were knowledgeable sources that steamers were not allowed on main routes without a diesel backup in the consist.  Perhaps that's one reason why they added the Heritage locomotive.

Are you talking strictly about the NS?  

Because that is certainly not the case on the UP, plus I though I saw photos & videos of the NS 21st Century Steam Program with former SRR #630 handling excursion trains WITHOUT any diesel assistance/back-up.

I believe the restriction is for main lines that are also used heavily by other trains.  Excursion lines that aren't heavily traveled are probably not included.

Firing these things aren't as easy as everyone thinks they are!!!

In reference to the 8100, mostly she is along for the ride but will assist on these long deadhead moves (Some are 250 miles or more) to help conserve coal and water. I personally thinks she looks pretty good and has a "new car" smell in the cab!

Well, your sources may be knowledgeable about many things, but on this particular subject, with regard to NS, they're 100% wrong, and Hot Water is 100% right.

Could be, I can't argue with someone actually seeing it done.

Wrong on both counts. The diesel is there for "show" and to stretch the coal on the longer deadheads.

The 765 will probably run the trips out of Williamson this coming weekend without the NKP unit in the consist. We left it in the train in Toledo because it was very tough to switch it out there and then get it back in the consist on Sunday evening. There's not a lot of room to work at Homestead Yard in Toledo.

We also used the 8100 to move the train around the 18-degree curve on the wye at Maumee. Using the 8100 to pull the 765 backwards around a sharp curve like that is a little better than using the 765 under her own power. 18-degrees is a VERY sharp curve. 20 degrees is the 765's limit.

OK, I believe.  Now if I can find the guy that gave me the other information, I can correct him.

Great video. The voice over was very entertaining. Wasn't aware the 765 was "headed to West Virginia to go into a museum". WOW the guy shooting the video was very knowledgeable. Sure was a lot of work to rebuild the old girl just to turn around and retire her. Wonder if someone has broken the news to Rich, yet.... BTW, that is a nice spare tire you got handing off the back of that water canteen, Rich. I am assuming that the auxiliary tender was used behind the N&W 1218?

Gilly

Kidding about the museum guys, just kidding. Don't shoot me!!!

It never ceases to amaze me how much misinformation gets out to the general public about events like this. We were headed to West Virginia all right, but we certainly aren't going to put her into a museum! Wow. The 765 is resting quietly in Williamson, WV as I write this, with the fire banked for the rest of the week.

The A-tank was used in the former NS steam program behind both 611 and 1218.

As for the smoke...

Rich,

It seems the American public are the same all over the country! I remember every time one of the UP steam locomotives operated west of Ogden, Utah, MANY members of the public at trackside thought it was the "last run" because poor old 844, or 3985, was "going into the Sacramento RR Museum".

The only thing I kept thinking while watching it was how great it was that the general public still has an opportunity to see such a thing in this day and age.

Just great!! Greg

I made a post on the video comments section and said to go here;

http://fortwaynerailroad.org/

These engines have a nine position lever for the Fireman to set the smoke.
[HEAVY BLACK]-[BLACK]-[DARK GREY]-[NONE]-[LITE GREY]-[WHITE]-[HEAVY WHITE]
( center off )
It was obviously all the way to the left.

OK, I'll bite.  Why would you be trying to specifically set the smoke intensity and color?  I thought that would simply be dependent on the load and speed.

Say WHAT? I sure hope you are joking about this...

 Hey Rich .

  Thanks for sharing your time and talking while passing thru the passenger cars today in Williamson. Sorry we didn't have time to speak longer. I took your picture with my little niece on the train today.

  I had a great time sharing the experience with fellow co-workers and my wife son Casey and his girlfriend Hope.

 Thanks for you and your crew Rich you guys did a stellar job !

Perhaps the 8100 will come in handy to assist on wet rail caused by torrents of foam.