Nickel Plate Road 587, an iconic 2-8-2 USRA Light Mikado steam locomotive, stands as a testament to the golden age of American railroading. Nestled in the heart of Noblesville, Indiana, this historic locomotive offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, captivating visitors with its storied history and impressive engineering.
Constructed in September 1918 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Nickel Plate Road 587 originally bore the number 5541 and served the Lake Erie and Western Railroad. In 1923, the Lake Erie and Western Railroad merged into the New York, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad, commonly known as the Nickel Plate Road. Subsequently, in 1924, the locomotive was renumbered to 587. Throughout its career, it faithfully served the route between Indianapolis and Michigan City, remaining largely unchanged from its original design.
After 37 years of service, Nickel Plate Road 587 pulled its final revenue train in March 1955. Later that year, the locomotive was donated to the city of Indianapolis and put on display in Broad Ripple Park. Interestingly, before being displayed, its original tender was swapped with another Nickel Plate Road Mikado, No. 639, due to maintenance needs.
In 1983, the city of Indianapolis sought to build a new public library on the site where the locomotive was displayed. This spurred the formation of a group called Friends of 587, who conducted a feasibility study and determined that the locomotive was a prime candidate for restoration. The Indiana Transportation Museum (ITM) then signed a 25-year lease with the Indianapolis Parks Department to restore the locomotive.
The restoration process was a monumental effort, involving thousands of volunteer hours and nearly $250,000 in donated funds and materials. The locomotive was transported to Amtrak's Beech Grove Shops for restoration. Remarkably, when the welds sealing the firebox doors were removed, ashes were still found in the ashpan, indicating that the locomotive had been pulled directly from active service before being donated.
After five years of meticulous work, Nickel Plate Road 587 was successfully restored and performed its first test run on August 29, 1988. Shortly thereafter, it pulled its first excursion train from Indianapolis to Logansport on September 17, 1988. The locomotive quickly became the main attraction for the Indiana Transportation Museum, pulling the museum's fair train and participating in special events.
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Nickel Plate Road 587 enjoyed a vibrant period of excursion service. In 1989, it performed a doubleheader with Norfolk and Western 611, pulling the annual Independence Limited from Rocky River, Ohio, to Roanoke, Virginia. Later that year, it joined Norfolk and Western 611 and 1218 for a tripleheader from Roanoke to Lynchburg, Virginia, during the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) Convention. The locomotive also made several runs to Bloomington, Indiana, including a side trip over the Tulip Trestle.
In 1993, Nickel Plate Road 587 led a doubleheader with Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 locomotive No. 765 on an excursion from Fort Wayne to Chicago, Illinois, marking its first visit to Chicago since its restoration. In 1994, the locomotive underwent further repairs at the Monticello Railway Museum, which took three years and cost $250,000. Following the repairs, it made several runs to benefit the restoration of Southern Railway 401.
In late 1998, Nickel Plate Road 587 hauled a round-trip excursion between Indianapolis and Atlanta, Indiana, in conjunction with the Nickel Plate Road Historical and Technical Society’s annual meeting. During its layover in Atlanta, the locomotive performed two photo runbys with period freight cars, delighting rail enthusiasts and photographers alike.
In January 2003, the locomotive's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-mandated rebuild was due, requiring all boiler tubes and flues to be replaced every 15 years or 1,472 days of operation. This led to the locomotive being taken out of service for another overhaul, which included extensive work on the firebox, tube sheet, and other critical components.
In 2018, a court order required the Indiana Transportation Museum to vacate its location, leading to the relocation of Nickel Plate Road 587 to Ravenna, Kentucky, under the care of the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation. The locomotive was subsequently sold to a private individual who plans to continue its restoration. Although the future timeline remains uncertain, there are aspirations to eventually return the locomotive to Indiana once the restoration is complete.
Nickel Plate Road 587 is more than just a locomotive; it is a living piece of history that embodies the spirit and innovation of American railroading. Its journey from revenue service to restoration and excursion service, and now to hopeful future revival, makes it a must-visit attraction for history buffs, rail enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the golden age of steam locomotives.
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