Under cloudless skies, I headed out to New Haven, Ind., just east of Fort Wayne, to see Nickel Plate 765 on display under steam for the first time in years.
The locomotive's restoration is nearly complete, and excursions are already being planned for 2006.
The museum also owns most of an 0-6-0 switcher.
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society also gave caboose rides pulled by an industrial switch engine.
The old wood caboose is in excellent condition.
Sadly, the old Nickel Plate depot in New Haven is not in such good shape.
An N&W-era sign guards the right-of-way next to the depot.
Trains run fairly frequently on the ex-NKP track, now operated by Norfolk Southern.
This little switcher resides in a scrap yard in Fort Wayne.
This ex-TRRA SW9 looks like it belongs in a scrap yard, but is actually used as a remote control engine at an industry in La Paz.
All photos by Mike Farrell. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
