765 & 20th Century Limited

[nkp_174]

Gents, yesterday was the first ever trip behind steam for the Hickory Creek. Hickory Creek, and her sister Sandy Creek, were the two tail cars from the 20th Century Limited from 1948-1967. The owner/operator/man who spent 5yrs returning her to 1948 as-delivered condition confirms this (the train was dieselized in '48 and backup power was not steam for the Century).

I had the privilege of being on it, but have relatively few photos. I only really saw the engine twice: during the layover in Lafyette and after pulling in at the end of the trip. Air conditioned cars have one major downside: you can't hear or smell the engine...nor can you see it much when you are on the 17th car of the train. I'd have loved to stick around and chase it, but it was enough of an accomplishment to get my wife and kids to join me that I didn't dare ask to stay...

The trips where from Ft. Wayne to Lafyette and back...120 miles each way on the Wabash Mainline.

At the start of the day, the family:

Jim Wrinn was on board the Hickory Creek with us, so I hope he'll have something about it in the next issue of Trains. (he's updated his facebook photo to him on one of the superdomes).

765 in Lafyette: