Chasing NKP 765 In Northeast Ohio Part 3: Trouble On The Connection (A Greasy Situation)

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Filmed July 2015

Nickel Plate Road no. 765 is a 2-8-4 "Berkshire" type steam locomotive built for the Nickel Plate Road in 1944 by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio. Classified as a "S-2" class Berkshire, the locomotive operated fast, heavy freight and passenger trains until retirement in 1958. It's also similar to Pere Marquette 1225.

Last run June 14, 1958
Retired May 4, 1963
Restored September 1, 1979

In 2013, 765 was officially included in Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program, an effort to engage the general public and celebrate the railroad's heritage through steam locomotive operations. Plans saw the 21st Century Steam to visit many of Norfolk Southern's major terminals between 2013–2015. On the weekend of July 25–26, the Berkshire hauled excursions from Youngstown, Ohio to Ashtabula, Ohio.

The Video:
NKP 765 is running a ferry move (empty train to the next place) and is moving east from the Lake Erie District onto the Youngstown connection, turning south onto the Youngstown line in Ashtabula Ohio. The train was going from Cleveland Ohio to Youngstown, Ohio. The train was mostly empty but still have some weight to drag. Besides the tender, there is an Auxiliary (water) tender for more water on the go, which was full, and had several loaded gons of coal for 765. The coal goes with 765 on ferry moves due to issues with ordering coal on the go. Along with the loaded aux tender and several coal cars, 765 is pulling 20 some passenger cars along as well.

Going around the Connection (and stalls)
765 with its rather heavy, lengthy train, 765 still needs to turn over 2 switches, and follow the sharp curve onto the connection and head south up a 1.24% grade all at once. All these curves, can be too sharp could build a bind. 765 would be working harder rounding the curve but a plan was made. Grease the flange ways to make less of a bind/ resistance on the wheels. A simple fix, to ease something through in any bind.

What went wrong?
When requested to grease the rails, the railroad maintainers did just that. The railroad maintainers greased the inside edge of the rails where the flange ways would roll over. The issue arise after the train comes to a complete stop. After realizing what happened, the railroad maintainer applied too much grease for the drive wheels. When the wheels rolled over grease, since there was too much, it smeared to the top of the rail, causing the locomotive to lose grip and spin to a slow stop.

Was It necessary to grease the rails?
Yes. The steam locomotive has a rigid frame and is not as flexible as a diesel locomotive. The 4 big drive wheels are rigid and hunts for the rails as it goes down the tracks. Its a lot like bumper cars bumping into a wall. Greasing the rail would ease adhesion around the sharp curve.

Did the sanders work? Does the locomotive carry sand? Why wasn't the engineer applying it?
Yes, and yes! The engineer was applying it. This is one of the last few steam locomotives to be built, and has some of the most modern technology, especially after being rebuilt for excursion service. The sand was applied, as soon as the engineer realized he had wheel slip happening, but the greased outweighed the sand for the traction. The train came to a stop eventually.

Was the engineer aware of the situation/greased rails?
Yes and no. I am sure the engineer knew the connection (curve) was greased, but not overdone like what actually happened. It was a dry sunny summer day. So to have slippage like what was in the video coming out of nowhere would throw you off if you are in the hot seat driving the train.

The ended result:
Yes the train stopped. 765 backed up, and the crew men dumps cups of sand on top of the grease to get the traction again and made a second attempt to go around the curve, and succeeded.

Again remember- The locomotive was pulling a lengthy heavy train, switching tracks, then switched onto a tight curve (connection track) and climb a hill at 1.24% grade all while it was over greased. There was a lot of adhesion, and resistance against the locomotive. The grease would help but "too much of a good thing is bad for you" and that is exactly what happened.