Great day at HVRM for the NKP 765 throttle time (TT). After yesterdays hot, humid, explosive
weather, today was much calmer, dry, typical July weather.
Yesterday, going to 4:30am today, was a movie/actor/train shoot, an added bonus to
the 765 operations and HVRM. Old cars and period dressed actors worked on different
scenes till almost day light. I heard it went quite well, even a volunteer HVRM member
played a conductor, whom it was is unknown. Everything and everybody was gone by
6:30 am when I arrived for crossing guard duty.
4:30am came early to get ready for today. I wanted a donut from Fingerhut,
but were still closed when I came into deserted North Judson. The NKP 765 was being
serviced down by the east shop, wheels greased, and other little adjustments done.
The 7am time came and went, the 765 was not ready, both TT participants were
at the museum. Finally the 765 moved, to couple up to the work car and water canteen
to be pulled up to the east shop. Dropped an left at the east shop door, 765 backed
down to the main line, coupled on to Erie bay window and Bessemer & Lake Erie
cupola caboose and did its air tests. The work car had all the wet containers of
NKP merchandise, taken out and dried during the day out in the sun. The water canteen
was cleaned of remaining rust, getting it ready for the trip to Train Festival.
The water canteen will be filled with water to provide ample supply water on the long
trip to Rock Island IL. Remaining coal will be loaded in the tender when 765 is steamed
up again for the trip.
The 765, with both drivers in the engine, cabooses coupled up and ready to go around
8am. It was decided that once on the C&I main, the engine an cabooses would stop
at HVRM switch and change TT people at the west shop area for the rest of the day,
avoiding the switch and backing to the depot. It was no problem, as most of the crew
members were already at the west shop and it worked very well all day. It gave better
photography as the day went on. It was sunny all day and still many showed up to
chase and photograph the short train.
Myself and Don? were flaggers till 1pm, we alternated between Toto Road and the other
two crossings and had an hour to come back for eating or refreshments. I made a run
to eat breakfast at 10 am, so I had plenty of time before the 11am departure.
When I left about 3pm, things were still going well, everything running cool, and
the water canteen and NKP work car moved by Erie 310 to the depot area to be filled
with water from the fire hydrant after its cleaning or rust.
For Saturday, it was hot, humid and down right nasty weather wise. The last run of
the days photo run by went well, no one got wet, but rain was on the way. North Judson
received hail, wind and lots of rain. Water was everywhere when we got back after
the last run. Cept for the wet rain, lightning & thunder on Fridays for the photogs special,
it went off okay. Everyone was soaked, engine crew, photogs and any one else associated
with helping out was just about beat.
Due to some problems with equipment, the WCHX tank car, C&NW boxcar and PRR
flat car did not participate in the freight train.
Next week, regular HVRM tourist trains will be back running normal schedules.
Little River Rail Road in Coldwater MI will be having its steam festival (5) operating
engines over a 4 day period, starting 14 thru 17 July, multiple steam excursions running.
Checkout LRRR web site for more details.
July 21 thru 24 is the Train Festival up at the Quad city area in IL. Lots of steam, diesel
and other activities will take place.
Many thanks to the NKP 765 crew for the tireless work performed over the last month
to make steam possible. Mid America out of INDY provided passenger cars that were
a riding pleasure to all the visitors over the period. Thanks to all the HVRM members
who volunteered to help out with the excursions.
Keep checking the HVRM web for upcoming train activities for the rest of the summer.
Tom
weather, today was much calmer, dry, typical July weather.
Yesterday, going to 4:30am today, was a movie/actor/train shoot, an added bonus to
the 765 operations and HVRM. Old cars and period dressed actors worked on different
scenes till almost day light. I heard it went quite well, even a volunteer HVRM member
played a conductor, whom it was is unknown. Everything and everybody was gone by
6:30 am when I arrived for crossing guard duty.
4:30am came early to get ready for today. I wanted a donut from Fingerhut,
but were still closed when I came into deserted North Judson. The NKP 765 was being
serviced down by the east shop, wheels greased, and other little adjustments done.
The 7am time came and went, the 765 was not ready, both TT participants were
at the museum. Finally the 765 moved, to couple up to the work car and water canteen
to be pulled up to the east shop. Dropped an left at the east shop door, 765 backed
down to the main line, coupled on to Erie bay window and Bessemer & Lake Erie
cupola caboose and did its air tests. The work car had all the wet containers of
NKP merchandise, taken out and dried during the day out in the sun. The water canteen
was cleaned of remaining rust, getting it ready for the trip to Train Festival.
The water canteen will be filled with water to provide ample supply water on the long
trip to Rock Island IL. Remaining coal will be loaded in the tender when 765 is steamed
up again for the trip.
The 765, with both drivers in the engine, cabooses coupled up and ready to go around
8am. It was decided that once on the C&I main, the engine an cabooses would stop
at HVRM switch and change TT people at the west shop area for the rest of the day,
avoiding the switch and backing to the depot. It was no problem, as most of the crew
members were already at the west shop and it worked very well all day. It gave better
photography as the day went on. It was sunny all day and still many showed up to
chase and photograph the short train.
Myself and Don? were flaggers till 1pm, we alternated between Toto Road and the other
two crossings and had an hour to come back for eating or refreshments. I made a run
to eat breakfast at 10 am, so I had plenty of time before the 11am departure.
When I left about 3pm, things were still going well, everything running cool, and
the water canteen and NKP work car moved by Erie 310 to the depot area to be filled
with water from the fire hydrant after its cleaning or rust.
For Saturday, it was hot, humid and down right nasty weather wise. The last run of
the days photo run by went well, no one got wet, but rain was on the way. North Judson
received hail, wind and lots of rain. Water was everywhere when we got back after
the last run. Cept for the wet rain, lightning & thunder on Fridays for the photogs special,
it went off okay. Everyone was soaked, engine crew, photogs and any one else associated
with helping out was just about beat.
Due to some problems with equipment, the WCHX tank car, C&NW boxcar and PRR
flat car did not participate in the freight train.
Next week, regular HVRM tourist trains will be back running normal schedules.
Little River Rail Road in Coldwater MI will be having its steam festival (5) operating
engines over a 4 day period, starting 14 thru 17 July, multiple steam excursions running.
Checkout LRRR web site for more details.
July 21 thru 24 is the Train Festival up at the Quad city area in IL. Lots of steam, diesel
and other activities will take place.
Many thanks to the NKP 765 crew for the tireless work performed over the last month
to make steam possible. Mid America out of INDY provided passenger cars that were
a riding pleasure to all the visitors over the period. Thanks to all the HVRM members
who volunteered to help out with the excursions.
Keep checking the HVRM web for upcoming train activities for the rest of the summer.
Tom
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