She's a star! In the 1980s, Nickel Plate Berkshire 765 was one of the most well known main line steam engines around. Her crew and herself generally performed perfectly. And many videos and photographs were taken to preserve the moment.

Since the fires last dropped, in 1993, a lot has changed in this world. Today, anyone can operate a heavy steamer, albeit, within the confines of a game simulation. Microsoft's Train Simulator is really the first to combine operations with artfully rendered models of real world equipment. Thanks to some great independant computer modelers, we now can operate 765 in MSTS! To find your download of Nickel Plate 765 (and two sister engines) be sure to head to www.Train-Sim.com. This model was created by the North American Locomotive Works, http://nalw.mcfall.com, and is available as Freeware.

Did you also know that 765 was featured in no less than two major motion pictures? It's true. 765 played a role in a film entitled Four Friends as well as the Evergreen Entertainment / October Films acclaimed film Matewan. Matewan, produced and written by John Sayles, stars Chris Cooper (The Patriot and Me, Myself, and Irene), Mary McDonnell (Independence Day), David Strathhairn (The Firm), and James Earl Jones (Clear and Present Danger, Disney's The Lion King, and as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars trilogy). The film is a story of coal miner's struggles in 1920's West Virginia. As the "company" squeezes the workers for more at less pay, thoughts of unionization sweep the camp. Based upon the bloody Matewan Massacre, the story is rich with social ills and heartfelt struggle as the miners shoot it out with the companies hired guns in a search for fair wages for a fair days work.

But that's not all. No, thanks to Hopewell Videos fans have been able to relive many of those exciting trips. Hopewell Videos offers many videos that feature classic images of 765 in various situations. Heck, she's done it all and Hopewell captured it. Whether she is taking a spin on the turntable in Bellevue, OH, or charging uphill through the massive rock cuts of the "Rat Hole" or flying across the flatlands of Indiana, we can see it all. However, one of Hopewell's most acclaimed videos is Runnin' That New River Train. Noted in TRAINS as one of the best rail videos, the New River video takes us onboard 765 as engineer Rich Melvin and fireman Kim Besecker guide us through the gorge. Melvin shows us what it's like to keep a heavy steam engine pulling up the hills along with narrative comments and mild humor. Together, this makes for a very interesting, seldom unseen side of main line excursions.

TRAINS, May 2000

But speaking of TRAINS, how many times has the 765 been published in that magazine and others? She really was famous and still is. NKP 765 has been on the cover of countless books, calendars, and magazines over the years. Nearly every recent book that covers the Nickel Plate Road features her. Nearly every recent book that attempts to show category types of locomotives uses 765 as the Berkshire example. And who knows how many steam or train oriented calendars had her for a month. The Berkshire is an elegant machine in appearance, which betrays her raw power. One would be hard pressed to shoot an ugly angle of her when she's performing as intended.

So what does it all mean? Even though 2003 marks a complete decade since she last steamed, 765 still holds the attention of a large following. Her beauty still graces the pages of many publications. And in 2003, she's set for a comeback. We are poised to capture new images and new recollections as she returns to the rails. Surely, a whole host of new calendars, videos, and other steam lover collectibles are soon to come our way. Do yourself a favor, get out there this year and get a first hand look at Super Power under steam!