Update on the Kink and the 765

Well, it seems that the August 20, 2012 operation westbound of the 765 steam locomotive was without assistance of the diesel locomotive. According to the November issue of Trains Magazine at page 80, "765's Glory Moment," reports that Norfolk Southern's Chairman, Wick Moorman was in the cab. The diesel was idling and the steam locomotive solely pulled the train using all its steam capacity to do so. The speed dropped to 10.9 miles per hour. The ES44AC diesel locomotive (Built at Erie, PA by GE) was used to assist the steam locomotive in reaching the curve from Altoona and then again after 765 had completed the westbound leg of the Horseshoe Curve. Going round the curve, steam energy did all the work.

I have to say, as dramatic as the transit was for the 765, I hope the Fort Wayne Historical Society, its owner, never puts such stress on the machine again. Perhaps it would have been more prudent to have used the extra power of the ES44AC on the curve.