Glenn Holland Posted March 6 Posted March 6 (edited) "Homecoming" When I built my first Nickel Plate Berkshire, I imagined having at least one more. A model of a locomotive like this is hard to be content with only having one of. Of course, having since served in a conductor's uniform behind both 765 and SD-9 358, I was further tempted to model what I've experienced. Modeling 765 would certainly scratch an itch I have, but until a few more things fall into place, that's something I'll hold off on for now. Truthfully, I had already decided on which of the remaining 79 Nickel Plate 700's I would represent in my fleet. An S-1 would make for a nice change. These were built across two orders by Lima in 1942 and 1943 in one batch of 15 and one of 10, respectively. The first 15 made up Lima order 1160 and were the first batch of berkshires built by Lima for the Nickel Plate. 725 was a part of this order. Builder's no. 7870 and delivered July 23, 1942. 725 featured a built-up engine frame as opposed to the single-piece cast engine beds found on the S-2, for example. The S-1's were effectively copies of the earlier S class and were similarly regarded as rough-riding. 725, as far as I have found, was a bit of a wanderer. I've seen photos of it in Brewster, Peoria, and I own one excellent shot of the locomotive that's marked as having been taken in Cleveland. No matter where it ran, 725 performed well enough for it to be among the last remaining berkshires on the Road. "Berkshires of the Nickel Plate Road" notes 725 as having been stored serviceable at Brewster, Ohio by July 16, 1958 and officially retired in August 1960. 725 was sold for scrap in August 1963, making it the third to last S-1 to survive, although I believe at least its whistle is still around somewhere. I generally model what I have seen or experienced in person. 725 was gone before my father was even born, but still, I found a way to connect with it, naturally via the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum. If you walk through along the tour path from stall 6 towards stall 1, you'll find a wall near the corner to the backshop which features some old papers clipped to the board. One of these papers is an original daily inspection form for Nickel Plate 725. My model is mechanically identical to my proven 763. The differences between the two engines are cosmetic only, and minor: - plain journal bearings on 725 - rods and valve gear correct for an S-1 - a "gables" style number board (3D printed) on 725 which represents a shelf-less headlight mounting - four sanding lines instead of six - brass whistle and bell This is the first time I've built a second copy of something at a later date. I may very well build one more, which may be my last Berkshire, but that's not something I'm going to focus on just yet. There's always plenty of projects demanding attention, not to mention the rest of life. Photo album: Brief video here: As always, thanks for reading. Glenn Edited March 6 by Glenn Holland Quote
rjr Posted March 6 Posted March 6 This is one great locomotive! Thanks for the backstory and thanks for sharing I'm a big pennlug fan, could it be i have seen the 763 in a youtube movie? Again, great work! RJ Quote
Toastie Posted March 6 Posted March 6 What to say? @Glenn Holland = insanely creative and breathtaking builds. I am always admiring your images. There is really just that, as I have no - absolutely no clue, how these locomotives you have literally replicated in LEGO world, can be crafted into bricks and plates like you do. Wow. Thank you so much for sharing on EB (so even I can enjoy your builds). All the best Thorsten Quote
L-Gauger Posted March 6 Posted March 6 @Glenn Holland excellent work! I really like the look of the NKP Berkshires, and in L Gauge at this level of detail... wow! In regard to the prototype, you mentioned the whistle of #725 might still exist... have you ever looked into whether the tender might survive, too? I ask because I know at least one NKP Mikado in preservation is paired with a Berkshire's tender. Seems the crews on the NKP swapped the tenders in that case to up the Mikado's chances of preservation... and succeeded. Quote
Shiva Posted March 7 Posted March 7 I can't say anything else than that I agree with all the previous posters. Quote
Glenn Holland Posted March 9 Author Posted March 9 On 3/6/2026 at 4:29 PM, rjr said: This is one great locomotive! Thanks for the backstory and thanks for sharing I'm a big pennlug fan, could it be i have seen the 763 in a youtube movie? Again, great work! RJ Thank you! I haven't displayed with PennLUG since before I built 763, but there is plenty of video of the model on Youtube. On 3/6/2026 at 4:46 PM, Toastie said: What to say? @Glenn Holland = insanely creative and breathtaking builds. I am always admiring your images. There is really just that, as I have no - absolutely no clue, how these locomotives you have literally replicated in LEGO world, can be crafted into bricks and plates like you do. Wow. Thank you so much for sharing on EB (so even I can enjoy your builds). All the best Thorsten Thank you, Thorsten! On 3/6/2026 at 4:58 PM, L-Gauger said: @Glenn Holland excellent work! I really like the look of the NKP Berkshires, and in L Gauge at this level of detail... wow! In regard to the prototype, you mentioned the whistle of #725 might still exist... have you ever looked into whether the tender might survive, too? I ask because I know at least one NKP Mikado in preservation is paired with a Berkshire's tender. Seems the crews on the NKP swapped the tenders in that case to up the Mikado's chances of preservation... and succeeded. Thank you! I think the 22-RA tenders that survive (behind 587 and 624 if I'm not mistaken) are very close but not identical to the 700's tenders. On 3/6/2026 at 8:13 PM, Shiva said: I can't say anything else than that I agree with all the previous posters. Even still, thank you! Quote
Feuer Zug Posted March 9 Posted March 9 Superb Berkshire locomotive. Lots of details. No shame reusing a proven running gear design. Quote
Glenn Holland Posted March 10 Author Posted March 10 17 hours ago, Feuer Zug said: Superb Berkshire locomotive. Lots of details. No shame reusing a proven running gear design. Thank you! The design works well - I aim to use a similar approach in a few more things I'd like to build eventually. Quote
Ts__ Posted March 10 Posted March 10 Congratulations! It looks great again, very detailed and, with all the pipes, very technical too. Awesome! Thomas Quote
Glenn Holland Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 18 hours ago, Ts__ said: Congratulations! It looks great again, very detailed and, with all the pipes, very technical too. Awesome! Thomas Thank you! Quote
Daiman Posted March 13 Posted March 13 a mighty build of a mighty ride. Strap one of these on your back and you are going places. Hats off! Quote
Glenn Holland Posted March 16 Author Posted March 16 On 3/13/2026 at 4:01 PM, Daiman said: a mighty build of a mighty ride. Strap one of these on your back and you are going places. Hats off! On 3/13/2026 at 5:17 PM, LL1982 said: Looks really good. Crazy amount of details. Thank you both! Quote
Glenn Holland Posted March 20 Author Posted March 20 On 3/16/2026 at 1:25 PM, Darkkostas25 said: Astounding build! Thanks! Quote
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