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Nickel Plate Road PA-1 #190: A Reborn Icon

Published: July 24, 2024

By: Adam Burns

Nickel Plate Road PA-1 #190 is a replica of the railroad's original, which was scrapped long ago.  However, thanks to the efforts of Doyle McCormack this fabled locomotive was brought back to life during a 21-year rebuild (2002-2023).

The engine began life as Santa Fe #62-L and later spent time operating on the Delaware & Hudson as #18 during which time it famously led many excursions throughout the 1970s.

It eventually wound up in Mexico with its three other counterparts; D&H #16, #17, and #19.  Over the next 22 years #18 was reduced to little more than an empty, rusty shell with no salvageable components remaining, electrical or mechanical.

In 2000, McCormack acquired this shell, along with the remains of Santa Fe #59-L (#16), and returned both to the United States for restoration in 2002.

In 2023, #190 had nearly been completely restored when he sold the engine to Genesee Valley Transportation, which plans to use the famous icon in excursion service on former D&H trackage.

The star of the show during the "Streamliners At Spencer" event in North Carolina in 2014 was Nickel Plate Road #190. The locomotive was built as Santa Fe PA-1 #62L in 1948. Warren Calloway photo.

The Real #190

Nickel Plate Road #190 was constructed in March 1948 for the New York, Chicago & St. Louis, commonly known as the Nickel Plate Road.

Doyle McCormack's father was an employee of this railroad, and it was in locomotive #190 that Doyle experienced his first diesel cab ride. In contrast, McCormack's first steam locomotive cab ride occurred in Nickel Plate 2-8-4 #743.

The #190 operated on the NYC&StL's main line between Chicago and Buffalo, as well as between Cleveland and St. Louis. The railroad's PA-1s were based and maintained in Conneaut, Ohio, McCormack's hometown. Unfortunately, none of the Nickel Plate's PA-1s survived the scrapper's torch.

Santa Fe #62-L

Santa Fe PA-1 #62-L was built in December 1948. Initially delivered in the iconic red and silver "Warbonnet" paint scheme, it led the Super Chief in its ealry years, and later powered San Diegans between Los Angeles and San Diego.

On April 5, 1967, #62-L was retired and sent to Morrison-Knudsen (MK), the Boise, Idaho based company that specialized in locomotive rebuilds.

On August 11, 1975, MK completed the rebuild of #62-L for the Delaware & Hudson, repainting it in the railroad's classic blue and silver livery while retaining the Warbonnet lines.  It was subsequently renumbered as D&H #18.

During its time in service the locomotive primarily operated on the Adirondack route in the New York area, had a brief tenure in Boston's MBTA commuter system, before ultimately being sold to Mexico in 1978.

Restoration

In 2000, Doyle McCormack traveled to Mexico to acquire the former Santa Fe #62-L and #59-L (D&H #18 and #16).

By 2002, funding had been secured for the move and #62-L was transported to the Brooklyn Roundhouse in Portland for restoration.

Concurrently, #59-L - originally intended to be restored by the Smithsonian - was utlimately acquired by the Museum of the American Railroad in Texas (where it is currently undergoing restoration into its original "Warbonnet" livery).

At the Brooklyn Roundhouse, a dedicated team of volunteers embarked on a comprehensive restoration of #62-L.

This endeavor included the installation of critical components such as the prime mover, traction motors, cab controls, and electrical cabinets, effectively rebuilding the locomotive from the ground up.

The locomotive's engine is an Alco/MLW 251C acquired from wrecked BC Rail M420 #688 while its trucks (designed by General Steel Castings) were salvaged from a scrapped Fairbanks-Morse "Erie-Built" passenger locomotive, which had been converted for use by the Canadian Pacific in rail trains to lay continuous welded rail.

When the Oregon Rail Heritage Center was constructed, and completed in 2012, #190 was housed at this facility alongside Southern Pacific 4-8-4 #4449; Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700; and Oregon Railroad & Navigation (UP) 4-6-2 #197.

Streamliners At Spencer

Following its extensive restoration the locomotive was transported in May 2014 to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC.

There, Nickel Plate Road No. 190 participated in the highly celebrated "Streamliners At Spencer" event, which drew rail enthusiasts from across the nation. This extraordinary gathering featured 28 iconic streamlined locomotives, each representing a golden era of rail travel in America.

Among the notable attendees were Baltimore & Ohio F7A #722; Canadian National FPA4 #6789; Pennsylvania E8As #5711 and #5809; Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 #611, Southern E8A #6900, Union Pacific E9A #949, and the beautifully restored Nickel Plate Road #190.

The event offered a unique opportunity for visitors to witness these magnificent machines up close, many of which had been meticulously restored to their original luster. Alongside static displays, the event featured photo opportunities, cab tours, and the chance to engage with railroad historians and preservationists.

"Streamliners At Spencer" not only celebrated the engineering marvels of yesteryear but also underscored the passion and dedication of those committed to preserving railroading history. The event was a resounding success, providing a nostalgic journey through time and a remarkable showcase of America's rail heritage.

After its tenure at the North Carolina Transportation Museum, NKP 190 returned to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center for indoor static display, remaining there until 2023.

A company photo of the real Nickel Plate Road PA-1 #190, taken circa 1948 and wearing the company's attractive "Bluebird" livery. The NYC&StL acquired 11 examples between 1947 and 1948, #180-190 (all A units), and all were eventually scrapped.

Sale To GVT

On March 2, 2023, it was announced Nickel Plate #190 would embark on a new chapter of its storied life. Mr. McCormack sold the locomotive to the Genesee Valley Transportation Company, Inc. for final restoration and future excursion service on their Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad Company, Inc.

Notably, at the time of sale, the engine needed only minor electrical work to reach operational status. These final adjustments are set to be completed at GVT's facilities upon the locomotive's arrival.

Once operational, #190 will soon grace D&H rails once more, marking its return after more than four decades. This upcoming chapter promises to be an exciting culmination of decades of dedication and preservation efforts.