Steam & Excursion > Southern Steam Specials - NKP 765 - October 30, 1982

The October 30, 1982 Southern Steam Special ran from Atlanta to Chattanooga, a distance of approximately 150 miles each way. The power for this trip was NKP S2 class 2-8-4 765, built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1944. She has 69 inch drivers, boiler pressure of 245 psi, 25x34 inch Cylinders, and a tractive effort of 64,135 lbs. This trip was the first time I saw NKP 765 in person, so I didn't ride the trip, choosing instead to chase and shoot photos along the right of way.

1. A portion of the steam schedule that I received periodically. Southern/Norfolk Southern really did a great job of getting out the word for all of the steam specials in a timely manner. In the days before the internet this was the best way of letting fans know what the schedule was going to be.

Jack Bejna
Los Angeles, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/10 05:46 by juicejunkie.

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2, 3, and 4. NKP 765 had a good roll on her train as she approached and passed me at Pinson, Ga.

Jack Bejna
Los Angeles, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/10 05:38 by juicejunkie.

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5 and 6. NKP 765 at Varnell, Ga. Judging from the exhaust she's making pretty good time.

Jack Bejna
Los Angeles, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/10 05:39 by juicejunkie.

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7, 8, and 9. NKP 765 in Chattanooga ready for the return to Atlanta.

Jack Bejna
Los Angeles, CA

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10, 11, and 12. NKP 765 left Chattanooga in the late afternoon and passed the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Grand Junction Station.

Jack Bejna
Los Angeles, CA

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13 and 14. NKP 765 was in a hurry to get back to Atlanta as she passed me in the day's last light, south of Dalton, Ga.

As always, comments, corrections, and additional photos are welcome.

Thanks for looking!

Jack Bejna
Los Angeles, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/10 05:44 by juicejunkie.

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The first location appears to be on the north side of Rome. The second looks like Phelps, just south of Dalton.

JAC

Speaking of 765 excursions in 1982... did anyone on here shoot photos of the 765 excursion from Ft. Wayne, IN to Muncie, IN that summer? Reason I ask is that I rode on that trip with my mom(I was 7 years old at the time) and am always on the lookout for pictures of that trip.
CR4131

GREAT PHOTOS!!

Would you mind if I shared them with the Fort Wayne Historical Society (and only them) on their facebook page?

Thanks

Jack, I was on that excursion back in 1982, standing most of the way up to Chattanooga and back to Atlanta, in the vestibule of the combine behind the ex L&N M1 tender/tool car. I was on the fireman's side of the combine, so I would not appear in any of your photos.

I can honestly tell you that, that was the greatest excursion trip that I have ever been on. Ever since reading John A. Rehor's article about the NKP's magnificent 700's in the October 1962, All Steam issue of TRAINS Magazine, I'd wanted to ride behind one. Almost made it with the 759, but alas, not so. When the 2716 went down and the Southern leased the 765, I was ecstatic. My ship had come in!

The engineer on that trip was a guy by the name of "Cosmo" Crouch. He hadn't forgotten how to run a steam locomotive. He knew how to make time on the long tangent between Rome and Dalton. Bill Purdie was in the cab, of course, overseeing the proceedings. If I remember correctly, Paul Brock was firing.

"Cowboy" Mintz (hope I spelled his last name right) was the conductor on the train. He looked good doing the job, dressed in his conductor's uniform, with his trademark cowboy hat sitting atop his head. A true professional, if ever there was one. He's now deceased. May he rest in peace along with Bill Purdie.

When darkness fell on the way back, a full moon arose over the Georgia countryside, illuminating our way back to Atlanta. Big steam at track speed in the daylight is something to see. Under a clear night sky, with a full moon above, it's something else entirely. Absolutely unforgettable. What an engine. What an experience.

You've made my day, Jack. I honestly and most sincerely thank you for that.

Bob Callahan
Monticello, IN

MrMichael Wrote:
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> GREAT PHOTOS!!
>
> Would you mind if I shared them with the Fort
> Wayne Historical Society (and only them) on their
> facebook page?
>
> Thanks

Thanks, I'm happy you enjoyed these pics. Feel free to share them with anyone you want to.

Jack

Jack Bejna
Los Angeles, CA

Jack,

I have thoroughly enjoyed your postings on the Southern/NS steam program trips. Small correction, though - it's 152 miles from Hotlanta to Chattanooga (from Chatt Terminal Station to Atl Terminal Station, though Brookwood would only be about 150). Atlanta North District crews are still paid based on this mileage count, though the home terminal is 148H (Inman Yard).

As for your locations, JAC is close (then again, it's been a few years since he chased any steam that way!). The first bunch is at Pinson, Georgia, 68H (actually south of the 69 milepost). The second is north of the road crossing at Varnell, Georgia, 31H. This is double track now. The third bunch is, as you state, in Chattanooga, at East End Interlocking. The bridge overhead is Central Avenue and the train is backing down the Old Passenger Main toward the Choo-choo. The fourth is known Jersey (235A) on the railroad and at one time the TVRM depot had "Jersey" station signs instead of the marketing genius suggestion of "Grand Junction." The final location is south of Dalton between Phelps (45H) and Freeman (48H), just north of where your 4501 runby pics were taken. Looks like you were at the US 41 bridge.

Thanks for posting, and keep them coming - they're great!

Best,
Michael Brown



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/27/10 22:26 by newriver400.

Ah the memories and we are lucky enough to still have the 765 proudly riding the high iron today in the best condition since she rolled out of the hallowed halls of Lima. I rode the 1982 765 trips from Louisville to Danville, Ky. and return. Like you, that also was my first encounter with the 765. Thanks for sharing.

John, Bob, Michael, and all the rest, thanks for the comments and corrections. I like to make these posts as correct as possible and I knew some of you would know what I've long ago forgotten!

Jack Bejna
Los Angeles, CA

rcall31060 Wrote:
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> The engineer on that trip was a guy by the name of
> "Cosmo" Crouch. He hadn't forgotten how to run a
> steam locomotive. He knew how to make time on the
> long tangent between Rome and Dalton.

A friend and I photographed 765 north of Rome the following weekend. The train was easily moving at 70+mph, making easy work of the train.

JAC

Thanks Jack!

Yes, I have often thought about 4-8-2's wheeling the varnish south through Sugar Valley, over the Oostanaula, and down through Plainville, Reeves, and Shannon manufacturing time the old fashioned way. What I'd give to know what that was like! Northbound would be just about the same, though it is a bit of a hill climbing toward Shannon - definitely would have sounded great. I'm not at home in Georgia, but I'll have to look at some of my older (1930's) TT's to see what stations the Ponce and Palm called at. Something tells me that there were no scheduled stops between Dalton and Rome, but I could be wrong.

Best,
Mike