FORT WAYNE, INDIANA – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc. (FWRHS) marks the beginning of its 2015 excursion season with an inaugural trip out of Fort Wayne and news of a major donation toward making a combined railroad and riverfront attraction a reality.
Steel Dynamics has donated $15,000 toward a marketing and feasibility study for Headwaters Junction, a lauded attraction concept designated as a critical component of Phase 1 of the riverfront plan. The total cost of the $70,000 study and development work is anticipated to be covered by grants and private donations.
Headwaters Junction would prominently feature the Society’s popular attractions, annual events, programming, excursion trains, and an interpretive facility and is estimated to attract between 100-200,000 additional visitors to downtown Fort Wayne each year.
“We are very grateful to Steel Dynamics for helping us kick off the project,” said Kelly Lynch, Communications Director. “The community has steadily come to understand the worldwide appeal of the 765 and its operations. Having this train is a lot like having one of the last living dinosaurs and the Polar Express all wrapped up into one.”
SWA Group, a landscape and architecture firm, consulted with the city throughout 2014 to develop a viable riverfront plan. Early in 2015, SWA Group proclaimed that Headwaters Junction has the potential activate the neighborhood and riverfront area in an authentic and catalytic way. More information on the project is available at headwatersjunction.org.
On July 18th and 19th, historic steam locomotive No. 765 will operate two round-trips between Fort Wayne and Lafayette, Indiana in a repeat of its successful trips from 2013, which sold out in less than 2 hours. The round-trips feature a variety of accommodations aboard passenger cars from the turn of the century, including the Dover Harbor, a 1920s car complete with its own wait-staff, kitchen, and meals served throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at fortwaynerailroad.org.
The Society has recently added additional tickets for its reincarnation of the Wabash Cannonball, a famous passenger train that operated between St. Louis, Fort Wayne, and Detroit.
The Fort Wayne trips mark the beginning of a busy year that will see No. 765 operate in Youngstown, Ohio, Allentown and Scranton, Pennsylvania, Buffalo, New York, and the Cleveland-Akron region. Passengers routinely travel from all 50 states and travel internationally to experience the vintage steam locomotive and train.
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- Conceptual plan.
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- Concenptual plan.
SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA – One of the biggest steam locomotive stars in North America will roll into Scranton to celebrate RailFest 2015 and the 100th anniversary of the Nicholson Bridge, officially referred to as the Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct.
On September 5th-7th, steam locomotive No. 765 will operate trips to the Delaware Water Gap aboard a recreation of the famous Phoebe Snow, a trip to East Stroudsburg, and appear on static display for festival attendees during RailFest. The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society anticipates having open vestibules aboard the Phoebe Snow and a special photo runby during the layover. Each trip will feature accommodations aboard vintage passenger cars from the 1920s through 1940s.
Tickets for these excursions are on sale now at fortwaynerailroad.org/events-and-excursions.
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This summer will mark the first time in history No. 765 has operated out of the Scranton area in its history. Steamtown National Historic Site maintains several former Nickel Plate Road locomotives in its collection, including Nickel Plate Road No. 759, a sister engine to the 765. The 759 resides on static display inside the Steamtown roundhouse and at one time operated limited excursions out of the region in the 1970s.
“We are really thrilled to bring a mainline steam locomotive to Steamtown and work with the National Park Service, Norfolk Southern, and the various groups collaborating to make these experience for our passengers,” said Bill Otter, Society president.
On May 13th at 6PM (EDT), tickets for steam locomotive no. 765’s first trips of the year will arrive at fortwaynerailroad.org or by phone at 1-888-718-4253.
Wabash Cannonball (July 18th and 19th)
between Fort Wayne and Lafayette, Indiana
Standard Coach (Adult) – $119.00
Standard Coach (Child) – $99.00
Deluxe Coach – $149
First Class – $249
Dome Class – $349
Hollywood Beach Class – Waitlist?
Dover Harbor Class – Waitlist
Astabula Special (July 25th and 26th)
between Youngstown and Ashtabula, Ohio
Standard Coach (Adult) – $99.00
Standard Coach (Child)- $79.00
Deluxe Coach – $129
First Class – $199
Dome Class – $299
Hollywood Beach Class – $299
Dover Harbor Class – Waitlist
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Prices and additional details for each trip are available here.
Tickets for the Erie Limited between Buffalo and Corning New York and the Lehigh Gorge Special between Allentown and Pittston, Pennsylvania will go on sale June 1st at 9AM (EDT). Prices and additional details for these trips are forthcoming.
All trips are daily round-trips departing in the morning and returning each night and include standard coach, deluxe coach, first class, dome, and specialty classes.
Additional operations with the 765 are also being planned, including the 765’s appearance at Steamtown’s Railfest and trips to the Nicholson Viaduct in September.
Due to the locomotive’s busy summer and fall schedule, the Society’s Annual Open House is now scheduled for June 13th and 14th, allowing visitors and future passengers the opportunity to experience No. 765 up close.
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Who says trains are just for boys? Read More
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA – World-famous steam locomotive No. 765 and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society will once again partner with Norfolk Southern Corporation to operate a series of special passenger excursions in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York as part of Norfolk Southern’s 21st Century Steam Program.
No. 765 will operate several round-trip excursions originating of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Youngstown, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; as well as Allentown and Scranton, Pennsylvania. Unless otherwise noted, the 765 will operate one round-trip per day. There are no no overnight trips.
Additional information including times, ticket prices, accommodations, boarding sites, and other details about each trip will be available on the event calendar. All excursions are round-trips operated once per day between the departure and arrival cities unless otherwise noted.
Tickets for the excursions will be available for purchase online at fortwaynerailroad.org and over the phone by calling 1-888-718-4253 this summer. Norfolk Southern employees can arrange for tickets through the company portal.
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Society members will receive information and advance ordering instructions in the mail.
July 18th & 19th
FORT WAYNE – LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
July 25th & 26th
YOUNGSTOWN – ASHTABULA, OHIO
August 1st & 2nd
BUFFALO – CORNING, NEW YORK
August TBD
ALLENTOWN – PITTSTON, PENNSYLVANIA
September 12th & 13th
SCRANTON – NICHOLSON, PENNSYLVANIA
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