One Lucky Donor to Ft.WRHS Diesel Restoration Effort to Get a Day-Long NKP 765 Cab Ride

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society will give away a cab ride and train tickets to donors who contribute to the restoration fund of former Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358.

The society is seeking to raise $20,000 to complete the mechanical restoration of the locomotive, which society officials expect to be operable by next year.

Two donors of $35 or more will receive tickets to ride the Oct. 1 Indiana Rail Experience excursion between Edon, Ohio, and Hillsdale, Michigan, featuring Nickel Plate Road 2-8-2 No. 765.

A donor of $385 or more will win a day-long cab ride in the 765 during that sold-out Oct. 1 excursion.

All donations made through Aug. 21 will be matched. Donations can be made via mail at Project 358, PO Box 11017, Fort Wayne, IN 46855 or made online at https://fortwaynerailroad.org/project-358/

In an email blast sent out last week, the society said once the fundraising goal has been met the 385 will be sent off for painting and test runs.

The diesel locomotive is expected to be part of the consist of FtWRHS excursions next year as part of the Indiana Rail Experience.

It is being restored to its 1957 appearance with the NKP’s black and imitation gold striping.

Ft.WRHS Fires Up SD9 it is Restoring

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society announced that it reached a milestone last weekend when it fired up for the first time a historic former Nickel Plate Road diesel that it is working to restore to operating condition.

SD9 No. 358 was donated to the society by Norfolk Southern in 2010. It was built in 1957 by EMD. It was initially used to haul coal on the NKP’s Wheeling & Erie District.

NS last operated the locomotive in the late 2000s. Last weekend’s firing up of the 358 was the first time that had happened since the unit was retired.

FtWRHS members have been working to restore the locomotive since at least 2017. At the time, the group said it would restore the 358 cosmetically and eventually to operating condition.

“What follows will be several weeks of testing, adjustments, and then prep work for paint to return it to its original 1957 appearance,” the Society wrote on its Facebook page.

Donations are still being sought to complete the project. They can be made at https://fortwaynerailroad.org/donate/

Fundraising Goal Met in Restoration of NKP Diesel

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society said earlier this month that it had exceeded its goal of receiving $5,000 in December in donations that will be used to restore a former Nickel Plate Road SD9 locomotive.

An anonymous donor offered to match up to $5,358 to Project 358 if other donors would collectively provide that much by Dec. 31.

The Society did not say in its social media accounts how much money it raised last month.

However, it indicated that the restoration of NKP No. 358 could be completed this year.

When the fundraising campaign began late last year, FtWRHS said it needed $18,000 to complete the restoration and if the December fundraising campaign reached its goal it would put the total funds raised to $13,000.

The Society plans to restore No. 358 to its as-built appearance in operating condition.