What is nickel plate road 763?

Nickel Plate Road 763 is a steam locomotive that was built in Lima, Ohio in 1944 for the Nickel Plate Road (officially known as the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad). The locomotive is a Class S-2 Berkshire type locomotive, which means it has a 2-8-4 wheel arrangement (two leading wheels, eight driving wheels, and four trailing wheels).

The 763 served on the Nickel Plate Road for 13 years before being retired in 1957 and sold for scrap. However, it was saved from the scrapyard and preserved as a static display in a park in Bellevue, Ohio.

In 1987, the 763 was restored to operational condition by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and has since been used for excursion and educational purposes, operating on various railroads across the United States.

The 763's historical significance lies in its connection to the industrialization and transportation of the Midwest, as well as its status as a symbol of American engineering and ingenuity during World War II.