CHICAGO, May 4, 2016 – The second weekend in June will mark an historic occasion for rail fans with the return of the Nickel Plate Road’s locomotive No. 765 to the Chicago region. Read More
NEW HAVEN, Indiana – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc (FWRHS) is moving to replace major components of historic steam locomotive no. 765 and take on a variety of other projects in 2016 after another successful year of operations. Read More
Was 2015 business as usual? Yes – and hardly. If the business of mainline steam can be summed up in the safe and enjoyable experiences of several thousand men, women and families behind our living time machine, then the 765 punched the clock. While the 765 and her crew have experienced long hauls and lengthy trips, something about 2015 felt much like a marathon.
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Santa Claus and his train return to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society this December!
Climb aboard a heated, vintage caboose for a 20-minute train ride with Santa. Enjoy food from Bravas, live entertainment and explore the world-famous Nickel Plate Road no. 765.
The trains are operated by a 1950s diesel locomotive. Trains run continuously all three Saturdays and depart three times each hour.
Santa Train
December 5th, 12th, 19th
9AM-5PM
15-20 minute rides with Santa
$4 (children 4-12) $5 (adults)
Children 3 and under free.
December 5th, 12th, 19th
9AM-5PM
15-20 minute rides with Santa
$4 (children 4-12) $5 (adults)
Children 3 and under free.
Santa Charters
December 6th, 13th, 20th
Noon-4PM
45 minute trips for families and groups of up to 15 people.
$300.00
December 6th, 13th, 20th
Noon-4PM
45 minute trips for families and groups of up to 15 people.
$300.00
Seating is extremely limited and walk-in availability cannot be guaranteed.
For the fourth year in a row, Santa Charters for families and large groups can be reserved on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons at select times.
All trains depart the railroad historical society’s restoration facility at 15808 Edgerton Road, New Haven, 46774.
DISCLAIMERS
Please wear sturdy, comfortable shoes – do not wear flip-flops, sandals, open-toed or high-heel shoes. Cars are not ADA-compliant due to their historic nature, however most passengers with limited mobility can be accommodated with advance planning. Please contact us with questions.
These operations take place at a working railroad facility. Please be mindful of your safety and the safety of your guests. Watch your step, be mindful of moving railroad equipment, uneven surfaces or bad footing, do not walk on the railhead and obey instructions from train crew at all times.
Your presence and participation indicates that you accept the limits of liability from inherent risks of all activities and operations. We reserve the right to substitute motive power or rolling stock as necessary. Train rides may be subject to mechanical delays, which are nevertheless uncommon. Your ticket is redeemable for a trip with Santa and does not necessarily guarantee a trip on a moving train, but does guarantee a visit with Santa aboard a train if the train is momentarily out-of-service due to mechanical delays.
Your support and participation are greatly appreciated.
October 28th is “Engine No. 765 Day” in Fort Wayne and Allen County. Why, you ask? Climb aboard and we’ll show you.
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The News-Sentinel covered the ever increasing challenges – and rewards – in operating the 765:
The 765 was active the majority of the weekends it was gone, including three straight in July and early August beginning with the Wabash Cannonball trip from Fort Wayne to Lafayette. Lynch said that that grueling schedule of back-to-back-to-back weekends will likely not be repeated in future excursion seasons. While the locomotive itself operates better the more it is run, the strain on engine and train staff, many of whom are volunteers, was substantial.“One weekend is a touchdown, two weekends is even better, but by the end of the third weekend many of the volunteers are just looking for the next day to sleep in,” Lynch said. “It really takes a small army to operate the 765.”
Lynch said that the entire operation this excursion season included a core group of between 25-30 people, from engineers and locomotive maintenance crew to managers, directors and passenger car hosts.The core group was complemented by other volunteers who join the “traveling circus” for a weekend or two here and there at various stops and geographical regions as their schedules allowed.