Hi everyone. It seems that the Fort Wayne Historical Society has made some changes to the beloved 765, or I should say 767. Along with the renumbering, the Mars light was added back. This is for a ceremony at the society and I believe the changes will be reverted by the end of 2016. What are your thoughts?
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She's beautiful.
Creates interest, for all, not just for the fans. And considering the history behind the change, I am OK with it.
I just got back from the open house. She looks very good. Love the Mars Light. Best improvement was removal of the coal bunker from the tender.
Tom
Tom Densel posted:I just got back from the open house. She looks very good. Love the Mars Light.
Anybody care to comment on the mounting of the Mars Light, i.e. did they drill mounting holes in the new smokebox cover/door?
Best improvement was removal of the coal bunker from the tender.
That "extension" was removed prior to even coming to Chicago, earlier this summer. That "temporary extension" was for extending coal supply on longer moves on NS.
Tom
RickO posted:Great photo Tom! The road number next to the headlight is a bit redundant, no???
That's the way Pyle-National "winged" headlights were made, and many, many railroads used that model.
Hot Water posted:Tom Densel posted:I just got back from the open house. She looks very good. Love the Mars Light.
Anybody care to comment on the mounting of the Mars Light, i.e. did they drill mounting holes in the new smokebox cover/door?
Best improvement was removal of the coal bunker from the tender.
That "extension" was removed prior to even coming to Chicago, earlier this summer. That "temporary extension" was for extending coal supply on longer moves on NS.
Tom
Jack,
I blew up the picture of the light, but I'm not sure how it is mounted. Hopefully you can see something I don't.
Tom
RickO posted:Hot Water posted:RickO posted:Great photo Tom! The road number next to the headlight is a bit redundant, no???
That's the way Pyle-National "winged" headlights were made, and many, many railroads used that model.
Perusing old photos it appears "back in the day" numbers were typically in next to the headight when there were no numberboards on top?
Yes, plus some railroads used those "number boards" for train numbers, and thus the locomotive road number was generally NOT shown in those number boards, unless it was an extra (X4449 instead of, say train number 99).
Tom Densel posted:Hot Water posted:Tom Densel posted:I just got back from the open house. She looks very good. Love the Mars Light.
Anybody care to comment on the mounting of the Mars Light, i.e. did they drill mounting holes in the new smokebox cover/door?
Jack,
I blew up the picture of the light, but I'm not sure how it is mounted. Hopefully you can see something I don't.
Tom
Thanks. The mounting sure does look different from the original set-up. It dos NOT appear that holes have been drilled through the new smokebox door.
Maxrailroad posted:Hi everyone. It seems that the Fort Wayne Historical Society has made some changes to the beloved 765, or I should say 767. Along with the renumbering, the Mars light was added back. This is for a ceremony at the society and I believe the changes will be reverted by the end of 2016. What are your thoughts?
I've always liked the look with the Mars light. That's how 759 looked the first time I ever laid eyes on a Nickel Plate Berk in 1969.
Either way, she's easy on the eyes.
Also, she looks better without the built-up coal bunker but I understand its value in today's operating environment.
On NKP in the steam days, the "wings" on either side of the headlight casing did not have numbers. they were painted black. I heartily applaud the reinstallation of the mars light. that is how they looked in service. I am also pleased that the extra height coal bunker was removed. the lines of the engine are improved. I understand why this was a necessity.
On the NKP at the end of steam, the "760's"with the single exception of #763, were in service from Ft. Wayne to Chicago. So I never photographed a 760 series unless it appeared at Conneaut for overhaul. If 765 will carry her original 767 number to the CVSR, that would give me a chance to add one more to my total of 63. In any case, I am looking forward to the September trips.
In my opinion it is very ugly this way and wait for a back to normal as soon as possible.
ironlake2 posted:In my opinion it is very ugly this way and wait for a back to normal as soon as possible.
Another post from this same uninformed person. You might want to do some research about Nickel Plate steam locomotives vs. when they installed Mars Signal Lights.
ironlake2 posted:In my opinion it is very ugly this way and wait for a back to normal as soon as possible.
Get used to it.
This is "normal" for NKP Berks during the second half of their in-service careers.
At first I did not like the "home plate" number board, but it does grow on you!
I love it! Sometimes it's nice to mix things up and try new looks. Even better when they homage the engines history. Heck with the Mars light back on and 1225 now having its flying numberboards back on the Berks are looking beautiful!
OGR Webmaster posted:ironlake2 posted:In my opinion it is very ugly this way and wait for a back to normal as soon as possible.
Get used to it.
This is "normal" for NKP Berks during the second half of their in-service careers.
Dominic Mazoch posted:At first I did not like the "home plate" number board, but it does grow on you!
Worth noting that this particular number plate style is patterned after the replacement made at Conneaut after it's 1951 derailment. More on the 767 here: http://fortwaynerailroad.org/2...e-return-of-the-767/
If you eyeball photos of Berkshires long enough you'll notice a variety of small alterations in different engines over the years - usually the result of a repair or replacement.
OGR Webmaster posted:ironlake2 posted:In my opinion it is very ugly this way and wait for a back to normal as soon as possible.
Get used to it.
This is "normal" for NKP Berks during the second half of their in-service careers.
Rich, I love that Mars light. Actually when you run the trips on the CVSR, will you have the mars light pulsing / oscillating? Also I read 767 will stay for the trips on the CVSR. Also that great for the Fort Wayne to be commemorating this locomotive for the accident that happened to the 767. But, Rich, that mars light is going to be a great additive. Actually you've brought it back to life back in the 40's. So in my opinion, keep the mars light as long as you want. I have the MTH Premier 3-Rail version with PS3 and that 765 version has a Mars light. Great job Fort Wayne Historical Society crew and Rich. And if you have the Mars Light operating on the CVSR, that's going to look cool on a straight from a far.
wrawroacx posted:OGR Webmaster posted:ironlake2 posted:In my opinion it is very ugly this way and wait for a back to normal as soon as possible.
Get used to it.
This is "normal" for NKP Berks during the second half of their in-service careers.
Rich, I love that Mars light. Actually when you run the trips on the CVSR, will you have the mars light pulsing / oscillating? Also I read 767 will stay for the trips on the CVSR. Also that great for the Fort Wayne to be commemorating this locomotive for the accident that happened to the 767. But, Rich, that mars light is going to be a great additive. Actually you've brought it back to life back in the 40's.
You mean "50s", as the NKP Berks were delivered in the in the 1940s, without the Mars light. The Mars lights began being installed about 1952.
So in my opinion, keep the mars light as long as you want. I have the MTH Premier 3-Rail version with PS3 and that 765 version has a Mars light. Great job Fort Wayne Historical Society crew and Rich. And if you have the Mars Light operating on the CVSR, that's going to look cool on a straight from a far.
The Mars light looks perfectly normal to me:
Rusty
55 chev.. what's the car to the left?
Gregg posted:55 chev.. what's the car to the left?
Maybe a 1958 Chevy?
Looks like a 58 Chevy yes.
Always thought the Mars light on the NKP Berks gave them a tough, all-business look. They looked like serious motive power contenders, even very deep into the diesel age. Rusty's photo portrays this well. Another thumbs up for the Mars light !
The 3rd car in Rusty's pic - a Hudson Hornet ? With bizarre movable sun visor over the windshield?
She looks great with the Mars light back on, just seems to have a "complete" look to her now. But hey it's hard to have a bad looking NKP Berkshire.
Now, with the engine "renumbered", what number is used in communications with the Dispatcher? I would assume "NKP 767".
Maybe this is the sequel to "When Mars Attacks". 
I couldn't resist......
How can you not like a Mars Light? I think they're much more interesting than ditch lights. I hate the look of the different car bodies which have added ditch lights (yes, I know it was required).
I like the new look, hope it stays.
Dominic Mazoch posted:Now, with the engine "renumbered", what number is used in communications with the Dispatcher? I would assume "NKP 767".
On Norfolk Southern it will be "NS 957" or "NS 958" depending on which way we're going, east or west.
I like the way they both look.
From close-up shots, it looks like they just slapped a magnetic placard with the 767 numbering on the cab.
Is it safe to assume no "permanent" changes were made to the paint?
Correct.
The Mars here is on center, unlike the MILE 261!
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