Press release from the Fort Wayne Historical Railroad Society:
Fort Wayne steam locomotive to star in national festival
Fall foliage trips announced through scenic Michigan
Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765, originally built in 1944 by the Lima Locomotive Works and completely rebuilt by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society in 2005, will depart Fort Wayne, Indiana travel to Owosso, Michigan on Tuesday, July 21st to participate in TrainFestival 2009, where over 30,000 people from all over the world are expected to attend a four day celebration of railroading featuring eight steam locomotives from around the country.
TrainFestival 2009, July 23rd-July 26th will feature all day and hourly trips behind historic steam locomotives, special displays, rides, and much more. No. 765 is one of three mainline steam locomotives built during the 1940s war effort that will be operating and on display, including Southern Pacific “Daylight” locomotive no. 4449, which is traveling all the way from Portland, Oregon. No. 765Â will be on display July 23rd-July 25th and operate and all day excursion on July 26th. Tickets are on sale on-line.
No. 765 recently completed its first excursions in sixteen years, successfully pulling 4,000 passengers in North Judson, Indiana. In
it’s long career as a goodwill ambassador and excursion motive power, the locomotive has traveled over 52,000 miles and hauled over 100,000 passengers throughout the midwest, proudly representing Fort Wayne’s railroad heritage. The locomotive will depart its New Haven shops on or about 8AM and travel northbound through Grabill, Spencerville, St. Joe, and Butler, Indiana on its way north, where it will stop in Milan, Michigan for servicing and continue on to Owosso.On October 3rd, no. 765 and Pere Marquette steam locomotive no. 1225 will operate a historic “doubleheader” that will see both locomotives operate a special passenger excursion train from Alma to Cadillac, Michigan through beautiful fall colored countryside. Tickets for open window, coach, and first class are on sale on-line or by calling 989-725-9464.
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