Bring Back 757

About this campaign

The Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum is embarking on a monumental campaign to bring Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive #757 to our museum site in Bellevue, Ohio.

The 757 was built in August of 1944 by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio. From 1944 to 1958, 757 hauled American’s freight in and out of the busy Nickel Plate terminal of Bellevue. It was known as a “Berkshire” type locomotive, and was the most successful and celebrated type of steam locomotive of the Nickel Plate Road. After retirement, the Nickel Plate saved the 757 for the community of Bellevue as a monument to the railroaders who worked here. Unfortunately, there was no railroad museum or display site available in Bellevue at the time. After many years of storage, the 757 was donated to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in 1966, and has been a part of their collection in Strasburg, Pennsylvania ever since.

In an exceptional display of responsible stewardship and generosity, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania has agreed to allow the 757 to return to Bellevue with the intent to transfer ownership to the Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum upon removal.

This is an exciting opportunity to ultimately have a historically significant steam locomotive as part of the Mad River & NKP’s collection. Bellevue can finally receive its monument to the railroaders and the railroad (Nickel Plate Road) that developed and shaped our community. This locomotive will also be an excellent educational exhibit for our guests.

This campaign won’t be easy, nor inexpensive. It is estimated that to relocate, restore, and display this 400-ton locomotive, $250,000 will need to be raised. The Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum needs your help. Your shirt purchase can help BRING BACK 757.