Steam Locomotive's First Steps in 1979 | Nickel Plate Road no. 765 

The entire restoration was done by an all-volunteer crew that hadn’t financial backing, or a roof to work under. Those dedicated men and women could only imagine where the 765 would be in 40 years. Truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

I know 765 has created smiles on millions of faces, but it is very hard to say anyone who has seen 765 in action is happier than those hardworking men and spectators on the first of September, 1979. Thank you for posting this important moment in railroad preservation history!

The smile on their faces and their cheers when 765's wheels spun is just timeless

NP 765 was one of many Berkshires that survived but something makes her special and stand out

The whistle brought me to tears. Happy birthday 765!

1:54 that...was one of the best whails I've ever heard. Beautiful!

The 765 is gorgeous. It just looks like what you picture a steam locomotive to be in your head.

I appreciate you guys keeping the 765 up and running to this day! I was just at the Conneaut railroad museum and they told me you guys used parts off of NKP 755 to help keep 765 running! Cool stuff!

It brings tears to my eyes hearing them cheer after the 765s wheels sliped for the first time.

1:39. Now that is some wheel slip

And she's still in perfect running order today!

Can't believe it 40 years ago you fired up this Beast for the first time since the 1950s that's amazing congratulations Fort Wayne railroad Historical Society can't wait to see what excursions you're going to do for the next 40 more years

Thank you for sharing. For the Men, & Women at FWRHS who could startup that Berkshire Engine #765 in Sept 1st, 1979. Good stuff! 1:26 1:46 2:53: Nathan 6 chime...

I was there! I remember the rust coming off the tires when they first rolled!

The cheers of the crew when the engine first moved sounded of more joy than I have ever heard or seen.

Sends chills down your spine

40 years of making tons of memories and bringing thousands to see this beauty. Not much I can say but thank you for everything you do and thank you for giving us 765!!!

The best part of the video for me, is the sight of Dick Yager at the throttle. I had the pleasure of knowing him a long time ago when we both worked at Walthers in Milwaukee. He was a beast of a man. The most vivid memory I have of him other than his BIG personality and laugh is remembering him taking down a cinder block wall with just a sledge hammer when Walthers was expanding its warehouse by opening up a large unused space. His dedication to steam preservation is well known among groups around the country. From The Pennsy K4 1361, to SP 4449, and of course NKP 765. You are missed by many sir. Thank you for what you did for me and for steam preservation

Happy Birthday 765 🎂🎂🎂 And Kudos to the folks that brought you back to life 👍👍👍

What a wail!! Holy-moly i got shivers!

The Berkshire is my favorite type of locomotive. The 1225 and 765 are some amazing locos! Happy “First-Steps-Anniversary”, 765!

I've rode a few steam engines in theme parks like Dollywood but never one on mainline trackage. 765 is pure joy in my eyes, I still watch the Christmas one with Cocoa-Cola and 765. Happy Belated Anniversary and Birthday 765!

Its always great to see a steam locomotive take its first steps after a restoration.

Glad to have experienced 765 over the years!

Happy birthday to #765 and congrats to all the crew who has worked so hard to keep her running. I rode Joliet Rocket 2 years ago and awesome trip, and know some of the crew members too.

Sounds like 1225’s whistle. I miss the old whistle already, but I understand why it was replaced

You have come a long way and inspired millions of people and I was very interested when I was 7 years old to one day help work and preserve railroading history. This engine will run for the years to come, great work you all👍

Nice video of the NKP 765 in action and being restored to its glory 40 years ago! I like that steam engine a lot and would love to see it someday!

Imagine at 2:04 what that old man in white is thinking... He probably never thought in 20 years he'd get to see something like this he probably hadn't seen since he was 30.

Congrats on 40 years, and also 7k subs!

I love seeing steam preserved for people to experience. I'm just wondering how many times the tape had been copied - the bell sounded warbling like it was a 3rd or 4th generation tape. Still loved seeing the locomotive steaming up. Thank you for sharing.

Great footage! Hope to see her charging on the mainline soon!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Amazing.

As a man, I laughed as they fired her, as a man, I cried as she took her first steps

I was born 21 years Later!

That was the day of my birthday.

😮wow 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I hope you guys answer this comment but, in a couple of weeks I can not wait for the 765 on the CVSR I’m looking forward to it I hope you guys have a safe trip to Illinois stay safe!

1:39 awesome

*The thing about this engine Is that she was supposed to be the engine that was going to cut the ribbon over the Fort Wayne overpass

Hey Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society can you install NKP 759’s whistle on 765

That was Dick Yager at the throttle. Used to go to his store, Sycamore Hollow Hobbies, prob twice a week to spend money on N gauge stuff and talk trains!

It would be awesome if sister berkshire #759 would be restored and did double headers with the 765.

Nice reply to Angus Paul's video. Some people just don't get it do they?

Whatever happened to the whistle heard here in the video?

Why does 765’s whistle sound different when it first came back to life in 1979?

K&L Trainz

Guys the original 765 got scrapped 767 was on display and renumbered to 765