Nickel Plate 765 Buffalo-Corning Aug. 1-2, 2015

Had a great day Saturday. Met some serious fans in Dalton NY in the morning and caught the train coming eastbound.
Followed the train to Canaseraga then took another route to Hornell and arrived 2 minutes before 765 arrived.

Spoke to some people on the rear car as the train was stopped and then drove a bit east (still in the yard) and got a video
of the train slowly continuing to Corning. A guy in a NS truck came by and I honestly expected a bit of trouble as we had
crossed several inactive yard tracks to get to the main line, but he said "hi" and drove on. We then were interviewed
by a photographer/writer for the Livingston County News who had also picked that location.

Checked out Schultheis gun shop in Arkport then had a nice lunch in Dansville.

Returned to the former Erie at Canaseraga and looked for traces of the PS&N (Shawmut). I had
Sanborn maps on my iPhone. Saw some where the former Shawmut and current NS crossed Church St.
I don't want to seem old, but I remember when the Erie had a human guard at that crossing. Back then, of course,
98% of Erie freight from Chicago went thru there. Probably 40 trains/day, so the guard was necessary.

Plenty of Shawmut traces from there to Swain along NY 70, between the highway and the NS tracks.
I decided that Swain wasn't that good a location to wait for the return trip, so we returned to Dalton.

There was a large group in Dalton and we had a fun time talking to the assembled crowd.
There is a memorial for a girl struck and killed by an NS train 2 years ago, and I observed parents
allowing children on the tracks. Fortunately, everybody got clear as the whistle sounded at a crossing
further east.

Interesting link to the Erie in Dalton:
http://www.burts.org/keshequanet/dcb156.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NKP #765 passed Owego a few minutes ago.

Also ,I did notice some parents allowing their young kids to get too close to the tracks- not a good idea under any circumstance!

As stated in my first post , I learned about the trip on this forum - thanks . We took the trip Saturday and what a truly great experience. Everyone associated with the train were very nice and it was great being with all the railfans onboard. We picked up a lot of knowledge from both groups.

I think this trip was worth every penny. This was my first trip on a steamer, but it definitely won't be my last. I decided to forgo going to the glass museum in Corning just so I could watch the train go turn around because it would be my only chance to actually see it move without being on it since I had to go home Sunday. I was told by somebody else that the fire department had to come to load 765 with water, and it took 22,000 gallons of water. Not sure how true that is, but I'd believe it. All around it was a great trip, a beautiful train and beautiful scenery along the way.

I got back out again this morning to try to get some good shots on East Attica Hill, but downpours beat us to the punch
and we got soaked just minutes before reaching us atop the bridge on (NOT SO) Dry Bridge Road.

No regrets, I was happy with these 2 shots and it felt good getting blasted with the coal-smoke!

Charlie

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Any info on what time it will be headed south from BInghamton this morning?
I work next to the tracks, and don't want to miss it going by!

Still parked at Binghamton, with no time estimate of arrival, as per NKP 765's twitter-feed.

Charlie

Thanks,
I am sure the 1 minute I am away from my desk all day, it will go by!

My "significant other" and I rode in the Prairie View dome car on Saturday 8-1, and it was a fabulous trip! Fort Wayne RHS and NS really outdid themselves. In my opinion, the only real problem was exiting and re-boarding the train in Corning. The roadbed there is built up significantly higher than the surrounding grade, so it was a real stretch getting on and off, and passengers had to walk on sloping ballast. Would it be possible to carry a temporary platform and a few concrete blocks in the tool car for future rare mileage trips? My only other suggestion would be to give each passenger a mile-by-mile route information sheet pointing out villages, junctions and other points of interest along the way, as Adirondack Scenic does for many of its trips.
In view of the number of local railfans, and the proximity of Letchworth Park, it's surprising that this very special train received almost no coverage by Rochester media.
I have heard that the state has declined to take ownership of the iconic Letchworth bridge when the new structure is completed - why couldn't it be made into a walkway, as was done with the Hudson River bridge near Poughkeepsie?

David

This picture was taken while we were backing out of Bison. The benches weren't really lined up well with the windows so this was a real stretch. This was the only way to see 765. On a right handed curve.
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I regret not staying with the train in Corning. But in a tiny corner of Corning Glass got my interest. Assorted navigation lenses.
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CP is refusing to move 765 right now.

I tweeted:

@CanadianPacific Why are you refusing to move the steam engine in Binghamton? This is a PR disaster for you. No problems with @nscorp!!

The delay was apparently due to a request by CP for additional paperwork. The train is under way now, and passed Corbettsville, NY around 7 PM.

On Saturday, August 1st, 2015, NKP 765 thunders through Castile New York at about 10:15 am. The train itself had a nice variety of passenger cars, cars from the SOU, NYC, PRR, GN, NP, Pullman, NS, FEC, and even Seaboard! It was amazing to watch the train go by! NS and FWRHS did a great job this past weekend! I hope they do it again down the road!!

- Scott

765 (and the DLW heritage unit leading it?) all made it into Allentown OK last night? Must have been dark before they got there.
JS
EDIT: Just found the 765 twitter site: https://twitter.com/nickelplate765" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Seems like it went through Scranton around 8:30 PM, Mountain Top at 9:30, and White Haven at 10:30 last night more or less.
And the 765 twitter feed said it would be based in Allentown until Aug. 24.

Here are a couple of quick videos from Portageville - the first is from Saturday, taken from inside the train as we crossed the trestle headed back towards Buffalo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKJqpFTYto0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And a video from below the bridge, taken on Sunday morning as the train headed towards Corning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkgPkFIj8mw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;