By Richard Melvin, Operations Manager

The 765’s first revenue trips of her third career are now history. Operationally, these trips could not have gone any better. We got first class treatment from Norfolk Southern on the deadhead moves to and from North Judson, while the Chesapeake and Indiana also rolled out the red carpet for us. We then worked with a very dedicated group of folks at the Hoosier Valley Railway Museum to operate the excursions.

Personally, these trips were a chance to re-acquaint myself with an old friend, but one who had undergone an extreme makeover. The 765 is not the same locomotive that we put away in 1993. Today it fires easier, steams better, sounds better, runs smoother and overall is in the best mechanical condition it has ever been since it was new. When under way, the running gear is totally silent, with no rod slap, no clanking and banging; there is no sound at all from the running gear. Even so, nothing runs hot and all the bearings run at about the same temperatures.

The running gear may be quiet, but the sound that the 765 makes at the stack is plenty loud and is really something to hear. The 765’s valves are set absolutely dead-on square and the sound from the exhaust demonstrates that on every exhaust beat. Whether going forward or backing up, the exhaust beats are all equal in volume and perfectly timed. And of course, when working hard the 765 still has that characteristic Lima “shotgun” exhaust. She rides so well now that some of the crew have commented that the 765 now rides better than the tool car.

The most serious problem we had with the 765 in more than 10 days of operation was the little air motor that swings the clapper in the bell quit. A few drops of oil fixed that in short order.

The 765’s new crew is an interesting mix of old heads like myself and Chief Mechanical Manager Steve Winicker, and a lot of young, eager-to-learn rookies. But what a crew of rookies we’ve got! The North Judson trips gave us an opportunity to let almost every “new guy” get some time in the left-hand seat learning how to make steam. Over on the right side of the cab we also had a new engineer learning how to run the 765. Things worked out very well on both sides of the cab with our slate of major league rookies, so well that on one trip on June 21 on one of the North Judson trips, the oldest man in the 765’s cab was only 32 years old! Us “old guys” have to get prepared to pass the torch to the younger folks and we’ve got a great young crew to pass that torch on to.

Steve Winicker and the guys and gals that put so many hours of their personal time into the overhaul of the 765 should be tremendously proud of what they have accomplished. I have had the honor of running the 765 well over 30,000 miles all over the eastern part of the country on a dozen different railroads, and I can honestly say that the 765 has never run better. The 765 is as close to new as it could possibly be, poised for many more years of successful operation in her third career.

On May 20th, 2009, locomotive no. 765 and her train moved onto the former Nickel Plate Road tracks in New Haven to begin her trip to North Judson, Indiana.

Norfolk Southern dutifully escorted the special move past East Wayne yards, merging onto former Wabash and Pennsylvania Railroad lines to enable turning of the 765 and F40 diesel locomotive no. 452 just east of Baker Street Station near downtown.

From there, the train drew waves, cheers, and sighs of satisfied relief from the members of the crew who were present to participate in the move. Under perfect skies and to the tune of a liberated Nathan six-chime whistle, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the 765 had returned to their calling.

Following the Memorial Day and Fathers Day Weekend runs, the 765 and train returned home on June 22nd, saluting downtown Fort Wayne from the Nickel Plate overpass and giving the Monday evening rush hour a surprise helping of melodic enjoyment.

Before reaching the Society’s shops, the locomotive greeted Norfolk Southern’s Division Office with the kind of spirited thank you than can only come from the heart of an appreciative old gal.

By Glenn Brendel, President

Beginning in the fall of 2007, our Society embarked on an unheralded period of change. It was little noticed at the time, but the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society began a period of transition which would fundamentally change how we do business in a remarkable and productive way. Events thrust some changes upon us; others were the recognition of need.

The board of directors initiated a totally new management approach for the Society. A much more structured approach was developed. Needs were quantified and in addition to the usual officer positions, various directors and Society members were assigned specific management tasks. New positions were established and corresponding detailed job descriptions published. Five new managers were appointed and two existing had specific job descriptions published.

The new positions include:
Communications Manager, Kelly Lynch
Training Manager, Tom Nitza
Shop Safety Manager, Al Rayner
Educational Outreach Chairman, Ben Sollenberger
Underwriter Search Chairman, Bill Otter
Mechanical Manager, Steve Winicker
Operations Manager, Rich Melvin

The new approach includes spreading the workload and specifying responsibilities in a focused, goal driven management style. The new effort is showing very positive results.

One of the most important aspects of our newly established efforts is our training program. The Training Manager has developed a very comprehensive training syllabus covering general shop practices and proper, safe operation of various shop and rail equipment. Over thirty volunteer members have attended these classes. When you see our volunteers wearing the distinctive black hard hat, it is their certificate of completion. They have all completed the initial training.

An inherent part of the training program is our emphasis on safety matters. Our Shop Safety Manager, working in concert with the Training Manager, has developed a comprehensive safety awareness program. To this end much effort has been expended. Fire extinguisher training has been offered and attended by many of our volunteers. Next up is a class in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to be offered this winter. All volunteers are encouraged to attend.

The Mechanical Manager continues the traditional role as overall supervisor of mechanical matters. He is tasked as our mechanical liaison with the Federal Railroad Administration. His office is responsible for administration of our extensive technical drawing and reference book libraries.
The Mechanical Manager is also the “keeper of the flame” for preserving disappearing skills and techniques through our Heritage Skills effort.

Other new management areas include a Communications Manager who is tasked with image building. He is responsible for our outstanding website and publishing of the Short Lines Newsletter.

The Educational Outreach Chairman’s responsibility includes providing educational opportunities through student and adult group tours.

Our Underwriter Search Chairman’s duty is researching and pursuing grants and donations from area industry and philanthropic organizations.

I know that steam operations are foremost in our member’s minds. The effort expended in scheduling and arranging excursion trips can be a prodigious amount of work for one person. We have addressed this perennial problem by establishing a three member Operations Task Force led by the Operations Manager. Dozens of personal contacts and electronic communications have been exchanged with railroad managers all around the Midwest. Proposals have been initiated for several trips beginning in May of 2009. To date, one contract has been initialed for the TrainFestival 2009 event in Michigan. Approval for another trip series is awaiting the results of a bridge audit on the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad. These trips have been in the planning stage for over a year. Our long quest appears to be finally in reach.

Another new program is the publishing of Policy Letters. These are written to specify policies governing events and routine matters which regularly affect Society operations.

One example of the Society’s published policies is the establishment of a Member’s Read File which contains pertinent, current information of interest to Society members. It is readily available in the shop office. Members are encouraged to refer to it any time you visit the shop. It contains a wealth of important information about the day to day operations of the Society. New emphasis on getting our shop environment in order is beginning to show significant progress. Our goal is to have as safe and organized work place as possible.

So what is the end goal of all this change? It is to produce a safe, efficient, and successful Society. All of which will be required to get the 765 out and about and to generate further donations and funding opportunities.

Lastly, and most importantly, the goal is to build a solid future for our Society for which we can all proudly claim credit.