The Nickel Plate Road Historical & Technical Society, Inc.

08/27/2026

They were the unsung heroes of the newly independent Nickel Plate Road but their prominence was short lived. The class H-5 2-8-2 Mikados built by the American Locomotive Company in 1917 were copies of a proven design from former owner New York Central.

Ordered and delivered almost immediately after the NYC sold the Nickel Plate to the Van Sweringen Brothers. The 35 strong class became the largest locomotives on the railroad and the first to sport the iconic “Nickel Plate Road” script on their tenders.

As we said their prominence was short lived as the following year brand new United States Railroad Administration standard designs would emerge. 85 examples of the 2-8-2 Light Mikado would soon become the favorite of the railroad until the development of the storied 2-8-4 Berkshires.

The H-5’s would solider on until the end of the Steam Era doing whatever was asked of them, including passenger trains or switching passenger consists around like No. 954 photographed in Chicago in January of 1956.

Members and NKPHTS Digital Supporters can read all about the Little Engines That Could on our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/nkphts/posts/165101588?utm_campaign=postshare_fan

08/14/2026

Recently NKPHTS Members received an update to their Membership benefits, access to our new official Nickel Plate Road Historical & Technical Society Patreon. Keen eyes may have already noticed the subtle changes to our Digital Archives home page.

Essentially an extension of our popular and freely accessible NKPHTS Digital Archive, our new Patreon is now home to exclusive content sourced from over 60 years worth of Society publications. Here you will find items from long out of print magazines, newly sourced materials, and exclusive content all about the Nickel Plate Road.

But the fun part is you need not be a full NKPHTS Member to see it all! New NKPHTS Digital Supporters can access our Patreon for only $2 per month.

https://www.patreon.com/nkphts

Of course this does not replace the full membership which includes our print magazine and other members benefits but it is a nice stepping stone for those who may just want to sample what we have to offer.

https://www.nkphts.org/membership

Currently there are six posts available covering a wide range of topics with more on the ready track for future distribution. We hope to see plenty of new and old friends on our new platform!

08/13/2026

Sure there are plenty of photos of double-headed 2-8-4 Berkshires running on the Nickel Plate Road but this series of shots with two Berkshires running tender to tender has to be one of more unusual sights we’ve found in the Digital Archives.

We are not entirely sure as to how No. 811, a Wheeling & Lake Erie engine, and No. 702 ended up being coupled tender to tender, an unusual thing to do for large American steam locomotives, on a coal train out of Adena, Ohio but yet it clearly happened in August of 1955. The fact that they are working the coal fields is less of a mystery, many of the Berks both of Wheeling and Nickel Plate varieties worked their last years hauling hoppers in and out of the mines. It is also worth noting that both are products of the American Locomotive Company.

For the model railroaders may this serve as inspiration to change up your operating sessions with this unusual locomotive pairing. Anything goes!

https://www.nkphts.org

07/21/2026

Engine No. 742 leads Train No. 98 east across the trestle at Girard, Pennsylvania. Taken in July of 1949 by Paul W. Prescott, the scene is a great snapshot of business as usual on the post World War II Nickel Plate Road. Superpowered 2-8-4 Berkshires leading an endless parade of fast freight trains many of which consisted of solid blocks of refrigerator cars.

Summer is usually a time for being outdoors but lately between blistering heat and other adverse weather conditions some of us our likely taking refuge back in our train rooms. Not only do we have the new URTX reefers in stock at the Company Store but there’s plenty other unique pieces of rolling stock, structures and more available in multiple scales.

See our offerings at - https://nkphts-shop.myshopify.com/collections/models

07/20/2026

The Nickel Plate Road made a name for itself hauling solid blocks of reefers through both the Steam and Diesel Eras. These vibrant orange URTX Nickel Plate Road 40’ Reefers by Accurail are perfect additions for any HO-scale model railroad roster.

Wooden refrigerator cars, or reefers as they were generally called, were the means of transporting all kinds of perishable goods. Anything from dressed meat to fresh produce rode the rails in these specialized cars. These easy-to-assemble HO-scale kits from Accurail will look great behind steam or early diesel locomotives on your layout. There is a limited quantity available so order yours today!

Single car - https://nkphts-shop.myshopify.com/collections/models/products/ho-scale-nickelm-plate-urtx-wooden-revrigerator-car

Two cars - https://nkphts-shop.myshopify.com/collections/models/products/two-ho-scale-nkp-urtx-wooden-refrigerator-cars

07/14/2026

A sight that for decades was thought to be a wild fantasy, a Union Pacific Big Boy running under steam east of the Mississippi River.

Union Pacific Railroad Big Boy No. 4014 has now traveled both east and west on the former mainline of the Nickel Plate Road. An historic occasion not only for those dedicated to the Route of High Speed Service but for the railroad preservation industry as a whole. Thousands flocked trackside, newly tuned into the goings on of that old railroad track that’s always been in the background of their daily lives.

The journey is far from over, tomorrow No. 4014 continues on the Nickel Plate Road from Fostoria, Ohio to Fort Wayne, Indiana and points west.

https://www.nkphts.org/nickelplate

When No. 4014 crossed over the iconic Nickel Plate Road Cuyahoga River viaduct in Cleveland, Ohio it joined a long list of famous preserved operational steam locomotives to have crossed it since the end of the Age of Steam.

These include:

Nickel Plate Road No. 759
Nickel Plate Road No. 765
Nickel Plate Road No. 587
London & North Eastern Railway No. 4472, Flying Scotsman
Norfolk & Western No. 611
Norfolk & Western No. 1218

Did you catch Big Boy on the Nickel Plate Road? Let us know in the comments!

Have you been newly inducted into the lore of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad? If so please consider becoming a member or check out our Archives. Exciting changes are on the way for those interested in one of the most celebrated American railroads. Stay tuned for more!

https://www.nkphts.org/membership

📸 Adam Matthews

07/08/2026

Now that we’ve crossed the halfway point in 2026 we are pleased to announce the 2027 Nickel Plate Road Full Color Calendar.

Featuring 14 historic photos of your favorite railroad along with important historic dates and anniversaries. This calendar is ready to hang in your train room, office, or anywhere you’d like!

Order now while supplies last! For a limited time, the $14.95 price includes shipping in the United States. Ohio sales tax applies to Ohio residents.

https://nkphts-shop.myshopify.com/collections/calendars/products/2027-nkphts-full-color-calendar

06/17/2026

Good to see that the cover painting for the Nickel Plate Story by John A. Rehor, the definitive history of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad is in safe hands with the Center for Railroad Photography & Art.

Gil Reid's masterful painting, "Berkshire at Midnight," of Nickel Plate 2-8-4 765, circa 1956. The Center's Kalmbach Media Collection is now on display at the Center's online "Odyssey" portal. See comments for a link. (Kalmbach-032)