ANGOLA, Ind. — The sights and sounds of big steam with the aroma of handcrafted ice cream returned to Angola for the Memorial Day weekend. Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765 made its 2024 debut with the Indiana Rail Experience’s Ice Cream Train. The experience — now in its third season of events and excursions — serves as a partnership between the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Co. and the Fort Wayne Railroading Historical Society, owners of the soon-to-be 80-year-old Berkshire.
No. 765 rolled out after an offseason of general maintenance, though future work to the injector is to be expected, according to FWRHS Vice President Kelly Lynch. “We’re planning to replace it in a partnership with the Pennsylvania T1 Trust, which is having new Nathan 4000 injectors made — for not only their project,” he explained, “but a number of other locomotive preservation groups, which will help bring the overall costs down [See ‘T1 Trust shows frame and drivers…” News Wire, May 13, 2024].
“It’s a great example of collaboration.”
On May 24-25, the locomotive carried over 1,000 passengers for six, 1-hour round trips, along with the Saturday evening Wine & Whiskey Train. On Sunday, May 26, the morning inspection revealed a crack in a left No. 2 spring hanger. The decision was made for substitute diesels of the Indiana Northeastern to continue the remainder of the Ice Cream Train trips. Repairs to No. 765 are expected, though Lynch sees no impact on the upcoming Tri-State Scenic Steam Excursions for Father’s Day weekend. “In the last 15 years, we’ve encountered this issue once or twice before, so we have spare parts on hand and a plan to replace it in the next week or so.”
Meanwhile, additional offseason work by Fort Wayne Railroad continues with certain projects nearing completion, Lynch said.
Finishing touches are currently taking place on the society’s two former Ringling Bros. circus cars recently acquired from the Everett Railroad. The fresh acquisitions are planned to debut on the Tri-State Scenic as first-class, open-window and open-air, table and parlor cars. “These cars will offer steam fans generously sized windows, open baggage doors, comfortable lounge-style seating, couches, and table seating,” said Lynch, “but also be perfect for private events and other trips as well.
“Both cars will feature their own bars, food service areas, and restrooms. The original elephant cage door has been kept inside the parlor car, and this area can be reserved for larger groups or private parties.”
One of the New York Central coaches from the Empire State Express is also halfway into its restoration with hopes for an August debut.
Early in the year, NKP SD9 diesel No. 358 moved under power for the first time in 15 years, with break-in runs along the Indiana Northeastern. The results are reported to show continual troubleshooting in the electrical issues, minor repairs and adjustments to the traction motors, cables, brush holders and commutators, and overall general housekeeping. Additional shakedowns and adjustments will continue throughout the rest of the year.
The ex-NYC depot in Pleasant Lake, Ind. received minor cosmetic and structural work with a heavy exterior restoration ramp-up to begin in June. “We recently won a $250,000 state tourism grant for improvements to the campus around the station and have $120,000 raised for the station itself,” said Lynch. “We’ll be fundraising for this throughout 2024.”
Visit the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and Indiana Rail Experience websites for more information.
