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Trip from Youngstown to Ashtabula and back was a step back in time
Hundreds enjoy excursion to Ashtabula and back on vintage train
YOUNGSTOWN
The whistling, smoking, steam-powered 1944 Nickel Plate Road No. 765 locomotive is a magnificent machine from the past.
People stood at crossings of the Norfolk Southern Railroad to see and take pictures of No. 765 as it came by pulling an excursion train from Youngstown to Ashtabula and back Saturday, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The 600 to 700 riders in the 19-car train came from all over the area and the eastern part of the United States to see and ride behind and feel the power of what Paul Radcliffe of Simpsonville, S.C., described as a “magnificent machine, an impressive piece of machinery.”
Radcliffe and his wife, Faith, and his cousin, Brian Licht of Cleveland, who rode in the New York Central 43 tavern lounge car, said everything was first class on the trip.
Radcliffe said he has ridden on other trains pulled by steam locomotives, but being pulled by
No. 765 was “on his bucket list.”
The excursion was a birthday present for Victor Stano of Warren from his son, Tom Marshalek and family, also of Warren.
Stano, who will be 85 on Tuesday, said he had a great time. It reminded him of when he was a kid, he said, when steam engines hauled coal out of the mines in the Kittanning, Pa., area, and sometimes the engineers would let him and his friends ride in the engineer’s cab in the turn-around.
Marshalek said he “loved the trip,” and would do it again if there is an opportunity. “We had a fantastic time,” he said.
Ted and Coleen Dunchak of Canfield did do it again.
“We rode the same train from Lowellville to Pittsburgh in 1986,” No. 765’s last excursion that originated in Youngstown.
“The trip was worth it. The whistle and steam engine were amazing,” said Coleen.
“When you get a chance, you do it. Maybe in 30 more years, if we’re here and the No. 765 is here, maybe we’ll do it again,” he said.
Gary and Mary Spencer of Hiram, volunteers for 12 years on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, said they were particularly interested in Saturday’s excursion because it was what they call “rare mileage.”
“This was the first passenger train in 40 years to use this Norfolk Southern track,” he explained.
Train buff Paul Stumpff of Geneva said he saves up to take as many excursions of this type as he can.
He said his particular interests are train paraphernalia and compiling and collecting history and information about railroads and rail companies.
“A ride like this takes us back in history – particularly in Youngstown with all its steel mills and major railroads coming through the city,” said Gary Scurti of Austintown, who rode in the Ohio State University Car with his wife, Debra.
What was surprising was the number of people at the intersections waving and taking pictures. A steam locomotive is something most people don’t remember seeing in person, Scurti said.
Spectators are getting another chance today to go back in transportation history when Nickel Plate Road No. 765 pulls the excursion train for a repeat trip from Youngstown to Ashtabula and back.
The train is slated to leave Youngstown at 8:30 a.m. and return about 5 p.m.
Besides the Youngstown-Ashtabula trips, No. 765’s forthcoming excursions this year will be: Buffalo to Corning, N.Y., Saturday and next Sunday; Allentown to Pittston, Pa., Aug. 8 and 9; Scranton, Pa., to Binghamton, N.Y., Aug. 15 and 16; and Scranton to Nicholson, Pa., Sept. 12 and 13.
For excursion tickets, visit 765.org or fortwaynerailroad.org or call 888-718-4253.