Nickel Plate Road 779 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nickel Plate Road 779
NKP 779 pictured at Lincoln Park in Lima, Ohio
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Lima Locomotive Works Serial number 9380 Build date May 13, 1949
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-4  • UIC 1'D2'h Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 36 in (0.914 m) Driver dia. 69 in (1.753 m) Trailing dia. 43 in (1.092 m) Length 100 ft 8+3⁄4 in (30.70 m) Height 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m) Adhesive weight 264,300 lb (119,900 kg; 119.9 t) Loco weight 440,800 lb (199,900 kg; 199.9 t) Total weight 802,500 lb (364,000 kg; 364.0 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 44,000 lb (20,000 kg; 20 t) 22 short tons (20.0 t; 19.6 long tons) Water cap. 22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal) Boiler 89.0625 in (2.26 m) diameter × 42 ft (12.80 m) length Boiler pressure 245 psi (1.69 MPa) Superheater Elesco Cylinders Two Cylinder size 25 in × 34 in (635 mm × 864 mm)
Performance figures Maximum speed 70 mph (113 km/h) Tractive effort 64,135 lbf (285.3 kN) Factor of adh. 4.12
Career Operators Nickel Plate Road Class S-3 Number in class 80 (Entire 2-8-4 fleet on the Nickel Plate Road). Lima built 10 of these S-3s for the NKP. Numbers NKP 779 Nicknames "The Last S-3", "NKP's Last Steam Engine", "Last Berkshire" and "Lincoln Park's Locomotive" First run 1949 Last run 1958 Retired 1958 Preserved 1966 Current owner City of Lima, Ohio Disposition Static Display in Lincoln Park, Lima, Ohio

Nickel Plate Road 779 was a powerful steam locomotive known as a "Berkshire" type. It was built in May 1949 for the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad. This amazing engine was designed to pull fast freight trains.

What makes NKP 779 special? It was the very last new steam locomotive delivered to the Nickel Plate Road. It was also the final steam engine ever built by the famous Lima Locomotive Works in Ohio. Plus, it was the last "Berkshire" type locomotive of its kind ever made for standard railway tracks anywhere in the world!

Meet the Nickel Plate Road 779

The Nickel Plate Road 779 is a special kind of steam locomotive. It's called a "Berkshire" type. This name comes from its unique wheel arrangement: two small wheels at the front, eight large driving wheels in the middle, and four smaller wheels at the back. This setup (2-8-4) made it very stable and powerful.

This locomotive was built to haul "fast freight." This means it pulled long trains filled with goods quickly across the country. Imagine how important these trains were for moving everything from food to cars!

A Powerful Giant

The Nickel Plate Road 779 was a true giant of the rails. It weighed over 800,000 pounds when connected to its tender (the car carrying coal and water). Its huge driving wheels were 69 inches (about 1.75 meters) tall. This helped it reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (about 113 km/h).

The engine was powered by burning coal to heat water into steam. This steam then pushed giant pistons, which turned the wheels. It could pull an incredible amount of weight, thanks to its strong design.

The Last of Its Kind

Built in 1949, NKP 779 was one of the very last steam locomotives made in the United States. By this time, newer diesel engines were becoming popular. These diesels were easier to maintain and didn't need as much fuel or water.

Because of this, the Nickel Plate Road 779 only worked for a few years. It ran from 1949 until early 1958. During its short working life, it traveled an impressive 677,095 miles. That's like going around the Earth almost 27 times!

A New Home in Lima

After its working days were over, many steam locomotives were scrapped. But not NKP 779! In 1966, it was given to the City of Lima, Ohio. This was a special gift because the locomotive was built right there in Lima by the Lima Locomotive Works.

Today, you can visit Nickel Plate Road 779 in Lincoln Park in Lima, Ohio. It's on display for everyone to see. It stands as a reminder of a time when powerful steam engines ruled the railways. It's a piece of history you can still see up close!