By Railfan & Railroad Staff
IRVINE, Kentucky — Brighter days are ahead for some equipment that once belonged to the now-closed Indiana Transportation Museum. On Friday, Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. announced it had purchased three rail cars from the former museum’s collection and that a private owner had acquired its crown jewel: Nickel Plate Road 2-8-2 587.
In 2018, ITM was evicted from its long-time home in Noblesville, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis, and three rail cars — a water tender, a former Pennsylvania Railroad Railway Post Office car, a former PRR baggage car and the 2-8-2 — were moved to KSHC. While ITM had hoped to eventually establish a new museum site, those plans have not panned out and it was decided to sell the rail cars to KSHC. President Chris Campbell said the transaction of the cars from ITM to KSHC helps to further the organization’s efforts in the ongoing restoration of former-Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 2716.
Kentucky Steam has acquired a former L&N tender that it will use along with C&O 2-8-4 2716. Photo Courtesy of KSHC.
“The water car itself is a valuable addition to the eventual operations of C&O 2716 and has historical relevance to Eastern Kentucky, particularly the communities of Irvine and Ravenna,” Campbell said, noting that it was was originally the coal and water tender for a Louisville & Nashville locomotive that ran in the area. “We have been glad to provide a safe haven for it but now, we believe its future is even more secure, as are the futures for the two Pennsylvania Railroad cars.”
ITM has also sold locomotive 587 to a private owner who wishes to anonymous. The locomotive is presently in Irvine, partially dismantled, but in safe storage. The new owner plans to keep the locomotive on the KSHC campus for the “foreseeable future” while they establish a nonprofit to care for and possibly restore the locomotive to operation. The owner is working with Jason Sobczynski, KSHC chief mechanical officer and CEO of Next Generation Rail Solutions, to come up with a restoration plan.
“It’s wonderful to see the future of the 587 looking brighter than it has in some time,” Sobczynski said. “While there is some major repair work ahead, it is a rare opportunity to return a locomotive to operation that needs what once was considered scheduled maintenance.”
Campbell said the deal is an excellent outcome from what could have become a very unfortunate situation.
“When we moved 587 and the three support cars in the summer and fall of 2018, it was a major win for railroad preservation as the four pieces were saved from legal trouble and potential scrapping,” he said. “This deal ensures the long-term safekeeping of these cars, and gives a new sense of urgency with the restoration of Nickel Plate 587.”
A former Pennsylvania Railroad RPO has been sold to Kentucky Steam Corp. Photo Courtesy of Kentucky Steam.
