NKP 765---"The Memory Machine"

Thanks for posting that Zac, what a true pleasure to read an article like that.  We attended T-fest in all it's broiling glory and loved every minute of it.  The last time I saw the 765 in person was many years before in August of 91' with the 1225 around Hurricane if I remember right.  It was toasty then...  When we arrived at T-fest it was for fridays run to Bureau,IL and the 765 was just pulling ahead to back down the ajacent track to tie on to the cars, the cylinder cocks were open and steam and smoke were in the air and what memories it brought back...I was older but she was still the same....actually better since her rebuild.  But this time was different because I had my 2 boys with me, they just stood there in awe amazed by what they were seeing.  At one point they both were so excited they were almost shaking....they had seen video's of the 765 but now there she was in person and they loved it.  We enjoyed the run by at Bureau despite 2 girls in turquoise colored dress' and their mother who decided to try and dart across the tracks right at the crossing when the 765 was right on top of em'.  After returning to Rock Island we walked down to get some shots of the 765 and I was pleased to run in to and meet Ross Rowland and chat with him for a bit.  And there she sat resting after the days run, alittle sooted up and greasy....just how I like her...  My boys still talk about it to this very day and will forever.  She is the memory maker, and a dream maker.  Thank You Fort Wayne and to all who make it possible, for without you and your hard work and dedication my boys would be missing a very special memory....as would I.

Right after to returning to Rock Island,Il

My boys by their "memory"

CWEX, it is posts like yours that make it all worth while...even in 100 degree heat! Glad your boys enjoyed the experience.

I lost 11 pounds that week in the heat. Unfortunately I put it all back on in short order. 

I think we all lost around 10 pounds or so..................but my goodness it was fun!

Thanks Rich...They did love it as did I.  But I think I found that weight you both lost...

I have a question about #765 and the Pere Marquette.

Was there ever a time when these engines had a Mars light?

Thanks

Joe 

It's definitely a memory machine.  This was taken in the fall of '86, at Ludlow, Ky.  It's one of my all time favorite photos because of the two subjects.

From about 1950 (maybe a little earlier) all NKP Berks, some Mikes, and a single Hudson wore the Mars.  I understand why the Ft. W. folks removed it, but I still miss it, because the period of its use was the "glory time" for these locos.  I can still see an S1 swinging thru the 2nd leg of the reverse curve at Muncie, with stack blasting, whistle yelling and the "Light from Mars" throwing that wonderful pattern of light all about.

Great story!

It must have really touched something in my subconscious, since last night I had a dream that I was along for the ride in the cab on some long excursion.  Talk about a sweet dream. 

Andy

From about 1950 (maybe a little earlier) all NKP Berks, some Mikes, and a single Hudson wore the Mars.  I understand why the Ft. W. folks removed it, but I still miss it,

Thanks Jim but you got me wondering since its a pretty cool feature, why did the folks at FW remove it?

Joe 

We removed the 765's Mars light for two reasons...

1. Back around 1987-88 the motor that oscillates the light seized up.
2. The vast majority of the 765's crew prefers the look of the locomotive without the Mars light.

There ya go...

This year the headlight will be the twin sealed beam fixture that the NKP put on in later years. Thank goodness for that! The original single-bulb headlight didn't do a very good job of lighting the way at night.

It is going to be nice to see her with the twin beam again....and more light..a win-win.