A Century of Hoosiers and Memories. One Locomotive.
The common thread for more than 5 generations, steam
locomotive No. 587.
In August of 1918, Hoosiers whom would
later be known as part of the Greatest
Generation were mere children, helping their
parents by completing chores and enjoying the
simple things of life such as a cold bottle of cola
or an ice cream cone. This generation would go
on to withstand the life-changing effects of the
Great Depression and fight during World War
II, selflessly rising to the call-of-duty as it was
simply the right thing to do.
In August of 1918, a locomotive emerged
from the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA.
This locomotive, alongside the Greatest Generation and their
children’s generations, would work to shape
the life and society of American and Hoosier
life, as we know it today.
That locomotive was Nickel Plate Road No.
587.
At first briefly serving as Lake Erie and
Western Railroad’s No. 5541, No. 587 was
a locomotive commonplace in everyday
American and Hoosier life. 587 was the
locomotive that moved goods during the Great
Depression, and was the locomotive that
moved people across the Midwest to conduct business as well as reconnect with family and friends. 587 was
the locomotive that would leave an Indiana station in a cloud
of steam as a solider gave his wife a parting kiss on his way to
war, sometimes for the final time.
587 traversed the Midwest on the Nickel Plate railroad, moving
fast-merchandise freight trains, people of everyday life and
people of high social position, instilling memories to those
like the young paperboy beside the tracks. Children such as
the paperboy in a small Indiana town would aspire to one
day become the engineer themselves. Nickel
Plate conductor Bill Love, along with engineer
T.V. Foster, would affectionately refer to the
locomotive as “their baby doll”. For Love, “it was
the engine that put food on the table, clothes
on his family’s back, and put his kids through
college.”
From soldiers, businessmen, families and friends
to vice presidential candidates, 587 connected
all types of people across American society. 587
even carried Vice Presidential Candidate Richard
Nixon from Lafayette to Frankfort, Ind. in Oct. of
1952.
For many years, the 587 was based out of Frankfort, Ind.,
occasionally venturing on the line from Indianapolis to
Michigan City, Ind. Unbeknownst to many, this would be the
same railroad that 587 would enjoy a second life hauling
thousands of Hoosiers to the Indiana State Fair almost half a
century later.
587 not only touched those who saw it thunder by on the
Nickel Plate, but also those who admired the locomotive as
it sat on display in Broad Ripple Park for nearly thirty years
as a donation to the City of Indianapolis. Many of these
individuals would grow up playing on this displayed locomotive,
imagining what could be. These individuals would include
those growing up to see the 587 return to a second life, and
many would recall fond memories of playing on the locomotive
throughout their childhood.
In 1988, due to the blood, sweat and tears of dedicated
volunteers and community support, 587 would roar back to
life, and go on to touch those who had never seen nor heard
of a steam locomotive, ultimately capturing
their minds in ways that no technology could
otherwise. The engine provided a sensory
experience, one that engaged people of all ages
and generations alike.
-Mesmerizing through sites of wheels spinning
and rods whirling, sounds of steam hissing,
the whistle blowing, the engine chugging, and
smells of coal smoke as the engine thundered by,
vibrating the ground beneath their feet.
When visited by the Smithsonian, representatives
remarked 587 in amazement as the most original,
classic all-American locomotive.
-And here we are today.
Since 2003, the Indiana Transportation Museum has embarked
on a second, federally required overhaul of 587 – a practice for
all steam locomotives. The Museum believes the 587 project is
essential to engage and inspire generations of young and old
alike by continuing a near century’s worth of memories.
From the gentleman that went off to war, to the individual who
grew up during the Great Depression, to the individual who rode behind 587 across the Midwest to see their grandmother,
to the movement of goods necessary for commerce, to the
noble assignment of transporting Vice Presidential Candidate
Richard Nixon, to Nickel Plate conductor Bill Love and engineer
T.V. Foster themselves, the Museum is looking ahead to link
together once again more than a century of Hoosiers and
memories.
Although one could delve into how 587 remains virtually
unchanged since its original inception in Philadelphia in
1918, the overall reason for bringing the engine back to steam
remains much greater.
In a time where one is always connected, always busy and
oftentimes uncertain of what lies ahead, the Museum is striving
to give Hoosiers a chance to pause and come together in order
to experience the same sites, smells and visual experiences
as those almost a century before them. The Museum looks to
connect cities, towns, events, and people like those before us,
through moving experiences behind 587.
- A living, breathing time machine.
The board, staff, volunteers and supporters of the Indiana
Transportation Museum invite you to partake on this exciting
journey as we work to return Nickel Plate Road No. 587
to operation in order to engage and inspire generations of
Hoosiers, young and old alike.
All Aboard.
(c) 2017, Indiana Transportation Museum, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Supporters
In appreciation for the work done by the Indiana Transportation Museum.
Im a steam locomotive fan and i want to see 587 next year!
I wanna see 587 fired up. Never got the chance originally.
Gotta support bringing back steam to central Indiana. I was a steam locomotive engineer at IRM in Greensburg in the 1970s at age 15.
587 is one of my favorite steam locomotives and I would like to see and ride behind it in 2018.