Steam & Excursion > Nickel Plate SD9 restoration nearing completion

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) is pleased to announce that an anonymous donor has stepped forward to offer a matching grant for Project 358, the Society’s restoration of a vintage diesel locomotive from the Nickel Plate Road.

Donations up to $5,358 will be matched dollar for dollar through December 31st.

Project 358 will see the 1950s-era locomotive restored to its as-built condition appearance and become a roving educational resource in excursion and exhibition service with Nickel Plate steam locomotive no.765.

This matching donation comes after the FWRHS was awarded a $3,000 grant from the Nickel Plate Historical and Technical Society (NKPHTS) in October. If fully matched, the donations would amount to $13,000, putting completion of the project within reach of its remaining $18,000 budget. Various electric work, painting and fabrication work is needed before the engine is restored.

Donations can be made online at fwhrs.org/donate or via mail at Project 358, PO Box 11017, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46855.

Constructed by the ElectroMotive Division of General Motors, the SD9-type diesel locomotive was one of the most modern locomotives of its time and helped replace outdated steam locomotive technology in the late 1950s. It was last operated by Norfolk Southern in the late 2000s and was donated to the FWRHS in 2010.

Project 358 has also been supported by grants and donations from Steel Dynamics, Inc., the Nickel Plate Historical & Technical Society, Inc., Norfolk Southern, and Progress Rail, Inc.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/19 11:36 by nathansixchime.

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Nice.  Are there any other SD9s currently operable?
 

Tominde Wrote:
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> Nice.  Are there any other SD9s currently
> operable?

The Illinois Railway Museum has the very first EMD SD7, demonstrator, which was sold to the Southern Pacific. The UP eventually donated it to IRM, and it is operational. I also believe that there are some operational SD9 units still in service in Oregon. 

SP 5472 in Niles, CA in BEAUTIFUL black widow paint is operable.

Check_A1E_Perf Wrote:
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> SP 5472 in Niles, CA in BEAUTIFUL black widow
> paint is operable.

Earning her keep in Train Of Lights duty now with an eighteen car train set,

The 358 will be a nice addition to the active SD9 fleet.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/19 18:51 by ChrisCampi.

NKP 358 finished its service career as NS 57.  Two other former NS SD9's work at J.D. Heiskell feed elevators in California's San Joaquin Valley: 59 at Pixley and 50 at Guernsey.

It would be interesting to install the wooden pole (for polling cars) over the first truck us seen in the photo...for show, of course.

Tom Coughlin
Stow, MA

Former Milwaukee Road SD10 #532 pulled us to Metamora, IN on Friday. Prior to a rebuild, I believe it was an SD9.

Can't post a pic from my phone...

Posted from Android

We had donations totaling $1,000 yesterday and with the match that means $2,000! Help us reach our goal of meeting the match at $5,358. http://fortwaynerailroad.org/project-358

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Tominde Wrote:
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> Nice.  Are there any other SD9s currently
> operable?
>  
Minnesota Transportation Museum has one.

-LD

Kelly, you are as effective as a public speaker as you are as author/editor of the 765 web page.  I wish you the best at this funding drive.

Total raised was over $16,000! Thanks everyone.

KL
FWRHS

Posted from iPhone

Traction motor cables have been installed.

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