NKP 587 Headed for Kentucky

Nickel Plate Road 587 is serviced in Logansport, Indiana, in September 1988 during its first revenue run after restoration.

A former Nickel Plate Road Steam locomotive has found a new home at a developing Kentucky railroad museum.

The Indiana Transportation  Museum has agree to move Mikado-type No. 587 to the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, which is developing a museum in Ravenna, Kentucky.

The agreement also included a tool car and an ex-Pennsylvania Railroad Railway Post Office Car. ITM, however, will retain ownership of the 587, but KSHC plans to buy the RPO.

ITM last week lost a court battle to delay its eviction from a Noblesville park and must be out of the park by July 12.

KSHC said in a news release that it will rebuild the 100-year-old 2-8-2 built by Baldwin to operating condition.

The 587 has not operated since 2003 when its Federal Railroad Administration operating permit expired.

The Nickel Plate operated the 587 primarily within Indiana until retiring it in 1955. Until 1983 it was on static display in Broad Ripple Park in Indianapolis.

But it was forced to move after its location was chosen to be the site of a new library.

It was restored to operating condition at Amtrak’s Beach Grove shops and pulled its first excursion train in September 1988 on Conrail between Indianapolis and Logansport.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s the 587 operated throughout the eastern United States, including on some trips that were part of the Norfolk Southern steam program.

Restoration of the 587 is not expected to begin immediately. KSHC said the Mikado will be stored until funds can be raised to pay for restoration.

Although ITM has engaged in periodic restoration  efforts, those had largely halted after the museum became embroiled in conflict with the City of Noblesville.

Underwood Machinery Transport of Indianapolis has been hired to move the 587 and other equipment to Kentucky.

That same company was involved in moving the 587 from Broad Ripple Park to the Beach Grove shops.

KSHC is already involved in another steam restoration project, rebuilding former Chesapeake & Ohio No. 2716, which is being leased from the Kentucky Railway Museum

Museum officials said acquiring the 587 will not affect the 2716 restoration project.

KSHC is also involved in developing a museum campus on a former CSX (Louisville & Nashville) yard in Ravenna, which is located 30 miles southeast of Lexington.

It plans to use the ex-RPO it is buying from ITM as a tool car for the 2716.

“We are trying to make the best of a bad situation” said Josh Spencer, ITM board member and director of assets. “We are optimistic that we can reestablish our operations elsewhere and eventually get 587 back running in Indiana again. We appreciate KSHC lending a hand at the 11th hour and getting the engine out of harm’s way.”

ITM and KSHC will share the cost of moving the 587, its tool car and ex-Pennsy RPO. The move is expected to begin on July 3.

Tags: Indiana Transportation Museum, Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, Nickel Plate Road 587, Nickel Plate Road No. 587, NKP 587, steam locomotive restoration, steam locomotives