NKP 765 Highballs The Joliet Rocket

Went to Mokena this morning to watch & listen to her. Might have been an inexperienced Fireman, as she made LOTS of black smoke in the distance, then lifted the safety. Luckily, the safety re-seated, and then that beautiful Lima & Baker Valve Gear "gait" could REALLY be heard, as she closed on us and passed, at speed.

Nice job Fort Wayne RR Historical Society and 765 crew!

Hey Jack, did you have the top down? 

No cinders on the seats, I hope! 

OGR Webmaster posted:

Hey Jack, did you have the top down? 

Sure did!  More than one person seemed to notice the license plate number too.

No cinders on the seats, I hope! 

Nope. The breeze seemed to be from the southwest, and I parked on the south side of the station, in the commuter parking lot. Wouldn't want to burn holes in the leather!

Yes, she sounded, looked, and ran great.  I rode and chased.  Best part was being in the OPEN vestibules at high speed, uphill.  She sounded incredible!!

I probably have cinders on the seat of the rental

Huge thanks to Metra and FWRHS. 

Simply amazing!

Great

And more

 Great videos and pics. Thank you!

Great video. I didn't know that the NYC Hickory Creek car was added to the train? ( and Tioga pass?)

Very nice.

Bad picture but the hickory was there

I like this posting

One of the problems with train videos is the extraordinary use of the whistle, so much so that you cannot hear the machine itself working. I think these were just right.

J

Rich, just curious as I notice the guy in the last video checking drive-train temperatures with an infrared thermometer.  What are the typical acceptable temperatures and at what point do you become concerned?

Thanks for the videos, seriously hope to one day get to see and ride behind it.

TexasSP posted:

Rich, just curious as I notice the guy in the last video checking drive-train temperatures with an infrared thermometer.  What are the typical acceptable temperatures and at what point do you become concerned?

Rich can comment further but, basically, if you spit on the bearing, or at that rod bearing position, and it "spits back", it is TOO HOT! Meaning, water boils at 212 degrees F, and the rod bearings should generally not be much over 180 degrees F.

After a high speed run like that, we would expect to see the rod bearings running about 50-60 degrees above ambient. If it's 90 degrees outside, the bearings would be around 140-150. Hot to the touch, but not so hot you can't keep your hand on the bearing for a few seconds.

Was a nice day today, temps right around 80 and low humidity. Beautiful day for a train ride. Big thanks to NS, Metra, and the FWRRHS!

That was an excellent steam excursion experience.I hope a trip is planned in the Chicago area for next year.

Thanks for sharing all the videos and photos simply fantastic

Really need to get out that way to see this engine.

Followed 765 out of the Illinois River Valley/Joliet, east.  Stunning performance !  Miles of cars and fans lined Rte 30 along the ROW.  

Thought the Mars light added considerably to the drama of the event - and perhaps a bit to safety.  The Rock Island herald on the canteen was a very nice touch !

Was it a financial success?

Rode Saturday afternoon and watched a flyby Sunday morning. Absolutely incredible weekend. 

Everything was amazing, minus those W flags they have on the front of the engine....

Rode it on Saturday morning and chased it as best I could thereafter. Here are the three videos I was able to take.

Zett posted:

Rode Saturday afternoon and watched a flyby Sunday morning. Absolutely incredible weekend. 

Everything was amazing, minus those W flags they have on the front of the engine....

Those white flags indicate the train is an extra...  (They are not Cubs "Win" or "W" flags...)  Not in the normal schedule.

Rusty

Rusty Traque posted:

Zett posted:

Rode Saturday afternoon and watched a flyby Sunday morning. Absolutely incredible weekend. 

Everything was amazing, minus those W flags they have on the front of the engine....

Those white flags indicate the train is an extra...  (They are not Cubs "Win" or "W" flags...)  Not in the normal schedule.

Rusty

That's what I first thought, except the real, original NKP metal "white flags" are mounted up high by the number boxes. I believe Zett is referring to those big floppy "W flags" mounted down on the pilot beam, which would NOT be indicating an "Extra Train".

Hot Water posted:

Rusty Traque posted:

Zett posted:

Rode Saturday afternoon and watched a flyby Sunday morning. Absolutely incredible weekend. 

Everything was amazing, minus those W flags they have on the front of the engine....

Those white flags indicate the train is an extra...  (They are not Cubs "Win" or "W" flags...)  Not in the normal schedule.

Rusty

That's what I first thought, except the real, original NKP metal "white flags" are mounted up high by the number boxes. I believe Zett is referring to those big floppy "W flags" mounted down on the pilot beam, which would NOT be indicating an "Extra Train".

Just a nod to the Cubs  which makes a Cards fan like me grumble :-)

Jason Schaedler‏ @jrgschaedler

 Replying to @FortWayneRails

Fort Wayne Railroad‏ @FortWayneRails

Your answer lies with the @Cubs

Love this non-railfan video by some folks were apparently attracted by the whistle!

Bob

Bob, that's a great video!

That long approach with no whistle gives you a long time to listen to that fabulous "Baker gait" as the 765 storms along at 60+ mph.

Hi all. Trainwizard5972, I was noticing in your first video that the Iowa Pacific superdome certainly didn't clear the corner of the platform canopy at mid-car by very much! Too close for comfort. Nice videos, one and all.  Don Francis

Either it clears or it doesn't. An inch is as good as a mile.

You can be sure that the clearance diagrams were carefully checked for all the equipment used on these trains.

Missed seeing you at the Throttle Old Friend!..................Memories for the Ages..................!

I appreciate that, Brandy, but not to worry. The 765 is in very good hands with the current crew. They are a unique and dedicated group of men and women.