Nickel Plate Road 587 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nickel Plate Road 587 |
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| Power type | Steam |
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| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Serial number | 49683 |
| Model | USRA Light Mikado |
| Build date | September 1918 |
| Configuration | 2-8-2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Leading wheel diameter | 33 in (0.838 m) |
| Driver diameter | 63 in (1.600 m) |
| Trailing wheel diameter | 43 in (1.092 m) |
| Length | 90 ft 6+7⁄8 in (27.61 m) |
| Height | 14 ft 11 in (4.55 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 221,500 lb (100.5 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 290,800 lb (131.9 t) |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 476,500 lb (216.1 t) |
| Tender type | NKP class 22RA |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 40,000 lb (18.1 t) |
| Water capacity | 22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 200 psi (1.38 MPa) |
| Fire grate area | 66.7 sq ft (6.20 m2) |
| Cylinder size | 26 in × 30 in (660 mm × 762 mm) |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts |
| Tractive effort | 54,720 lbf (243.4 kN) |
| Factor of adhesion | 4.05 |
| Number in class | 2nd of 15 |
| Last run | 2003 (excursion service) |
| Retired | March 1955 (revenue service) |
| Restored | September 17, 1988 |
| Current owner | Indiana Transportation Museum |
| Disposition | In storage, awaiting 1,472-day overhaul/restoration, based in Ravenna, Kentucky |
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Nickel Plate Road Steam Locomotive No. 587
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | Kentucky Rail Heritage Center, Ravenna, Kentucky |
| Built | 1918 |
| Architect | United States Railroad Administration |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000313 |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1984 |
The Nickel Plate Road 587 is a special kind of steam locomotive. It's a 2-8-2 type, which means it has two small wheels at the front, eight large driving wheels in the middle, and two small wheels at the back. This design is also called a "Mikado" locomotive.
It was built in September 1918 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Lake Erie and Western Railroad. Back then, it was known as No. 5541. In 1923, the Lake Erie and Western Railroad joined with the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, which people often called the "Nickel Plate Road". In 1924, the locomotive got its new number: 587.
In 2003, the locomotive was being fixed up by the Indiana Transportation Museum (ITM) in Noblesville, Indiana. However, in 2018, the museum had to move. This meant No. 587 had to be stored in Ravenna, Kentucky. It's now waiting there with the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. The ITM hopes to raise enough money to bring it back to working order.
Contents
The Story of NKP 587
Early Life on the Tracks
Nickel Plate Road No. 587 started its life as locomotive 5541 for the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. In 1922, the Nickel Plate Road bought the LE&W. Over the next two years, the Nickel Plate Road organized its locomotives. In 1924, locomotive 5541 became NKP 587.
This locomotive worked for the Nickel Plate Road for 37 years. It mostly traveled on the route from Indianapolis to Michigan City. The train stayed pretty much the same as it was first built. It kept working until March 1955, when it was retired.
A New Home in the Park
On September 9, 1955, NKP 587 was given to the city of Indianapolis. It was then put on display in Broad Ripple Park in Indianapolis, Indiana. Before it went on display, its original coal and water car (called a tender) was swapped. It got the tender from another Nickel Plate Road steam engine, No. 639. This happened because 639's tender needed repairs, and 587's original one was in good shape.
No. 587 first had a smaller tender that carried 16 tons of coal and 10,000 gallons of water. In the 1930s, it received a larger tender. This one could carry 19 tons of coal and 16,500 gallons of water. You can tell this tender apart because it has six wheels under the coal area and four wheels under the water tank.
In 1955, locomotive No. 639 had a problem with its tender. So, the railroad switched tenders to keep No. 639 running. No. 587 was then displayed in Broad Ripple Park with the larger tender. No. 639 was retired in 1957. It was displayed in Bloomington, Illinois with No. 587's original tender.
Bringing 587 Back to Life
From Park to Restoration Shop
NKP No. 587 stayed in Broad Ripple Park until 1983. The city of Indianapolis wanted to build a new library in the park. The only good spot for it was where the 587 was displayed.
A group called "Friends of 587" looked into fixing up the locomotive. They decided it was a good project. The city then let the Indiana Transportation Museum borrow the locomotive.
From 1983 to September 1988, the museum worked on 587. They used a work area at Amtrak's Beech Grove Shops. During the restoration, they found something surprising. When they opened the firebox doors, there were still ashes inside! This showed that the locomotive was simply taken out of service and stored. It wasn't fully cleaned before being given to the city.
The restoration took thousands of hours of volunteer work. It also cost nearly $250,000 in donated money and materials. NKP No. 587 returned to active service on September 17, 1988. Its first trip was an excursion train from Indianapolis to Logansport, Indiana.
Adventures on the Rails (1988-2003)
The Indiana Transportation Museum operated NKP 587. It was considered one of their most prized possessions. It often pulled the museum's fair train. This train went from Fishers, Indiana, to the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis. It also appeared at other special events.
In 1989, No. 587 was part of a rare event. It led two other famous steam engines, N&W 611 and 1218. This was for a trip to a convention in Asheville. No. 587 led two special trips for the convention. One of them was with 1218. In 1990, 587 also teamed up with 611 for another event called the Independence Limited.
In 1993, No. 587 led a trip with NKP 765. This trip was between Fort Wayne and Chicago. They also did another trip together for a convention.
In 2000, No. 587 was the star of a children's movie. It was called Old 587: The Great Train Robbery. In the movie, some kids find the locomotive in a scrapyard. With help from the train's old engineer, they save 587 from being cut up. They then donate it to a museum.
In early 2003, No. 587's operating permit ran out. This is because of rules from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). They require that all boiler tubes and flues in steam locomotives be replaced every 15 years. Or, after 1,472 days of operation.
Current Status and Future Plans
Working Towards a Second Restoration
No. 587 is now going through its second major restoration. This work depends on getting enough money and volunteers. Many parts have been removed, like the tubes and flues. The dry pipe, which carries steam, was too thin. A new one has been made and is waiting to be put in. The air pump has been fixed and is ready to go back on.
Parts of the firebox have been cut out and replaced. A section of the rear tube sheet was also too thin. A new section has been shaped and is being prepared for new holes. New tubes have been made smaller at one end. They are stored at the museum, waiting to be installed. The firebox is almost completely re-riveted.
The locomotive was lifted off its wheels. This allowed workers to reach the leaf springs and bushings. These parts help the train move smoothly. The old bushings will be replaced because they are worn out.
In 2008, the ownership of No. 587 officially changed. It went from the Indianapolis Parks Department to the Indiana Transportation Museum.
Moving to Kentucky
On June 28, 2018, a court order required the Indiana Transportation Museum to leave its old location. The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation made a deal with ITM. They agreed to move 587 before the deadline. The plan is to store the locomotive in Ravenna, Kentucky. It will be kept alongside Chesapeake & Ohio No. 2716.
The Indiana Transportation Museum needs to raise enough money for the restoration. Once it's fixed, the locomotive will return to Indiana. On July 7, 2018, most of 587's main parts left the museum's old grounds. The tender body left on July 12 and was fully unloaded on July 14. No. 587 is now waiting to be rebuilt. This includes a big overhaul of its boiler tubes and flues so it can run again.
Images for kids
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No. 587 leads an excursion train near Tipton, Indiana in June 1991
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