In
The News:In
The News:
 |
| Carl Lawson in front of the Nickel Plate steam locomotive 765. |
|
| Carl
Lawson at the controls of the Nickel Plate 765 with Bill Byers.
Photos Courtesy of Short Lines, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Online Newsletter. |
|
It's Never Too Late for Steam
Carl Lawson, retired railroader, returns to the high iron to handle a steam locomotive.
November 10, 2007
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society hosted Carl Lawson and his family on November 10th to grant Carl the opportunity to operate a steam locomotive 50 years after serving as a hostler for the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad.
Since retiring 32 years ago from Norfolk & Western, Carl has long wished to revisit his engine handling days.
Carl's entire family watched on board and track side as he took the historic
Nickel Plate steam locomotive 765 for a stroll up and down the Society's shop trackage as local television news
media captured the event.
Assisting Carl in the cab was Bill Byers. Many thanks go out to Mike Guptail and Bill Otter, who worked with wish-granting organization Never Too Late, so that Carl was able to relive a memory he had dearly missed.
About:
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society is an all-volunteer award-winning organization dedicated to preserving, displaying and operating historical railroad equipment.
Formed in 1972 to restore and operate historic Nickel Plate steam locomotive 765, they have operated special passenger excursions hauling over 100,000 people through 16 states covering 52,000 miles. The Society recently endeavored to completely rebuild the 765 and the locomotive is ready to reach thousands more.
At TrainTown, the official museum of the Society, they operate regular train rides, host an annual open house and give visitors the chance to experience historic railroading up close and hands on!
Address: 15808 Edgerton Road, New Haven, IN, 46774.
Phone: 260.493.0765
Email: contact@765.org.
Website: http://www.765.org/home.html