This brought tears to my eyes. Rich Melvin is the reason I wanna become an locomotive engineer. He is a huge inspiration. Happy retirement, you were a true inspiration of mine. -Matt Dotson
Rich Melvin your welcome. I might make a tribute video in honer if your retirement on my channel soon, it may be a while before I release it, because I wanna put a lot of effort into it to make it worth something. Once I finish it I’ll send you A comment. Again thanks for being one of my main inspirations in railroading. It means a lot.
Rich Melvin got to meet 2 other well another well known Engineers in his career. Steve Lee at the 1993 NRHS Convention in Chicago, Illinois when NKP 765 was joined by UP Challenger 3985 and at 2009 Train Festival in Michigan, Doyle McCormack on SP 4449 Daylight
@@clintgates7526 There were a few more: Ross Rowland (2101 and 614) Bob Saxtan (Norfolk Southern Steam Program plus 611 and 1218) Robert Franzen (several engines) Scott Lindsay (611) ...and several more. The steam community is a small one.
And Not to mention Mr Robert Claytor. My favorite DVDS from Pentrex featuring the 765 were Huntington Steam Combo and Chesapeake and Ohio 2765. New River Masquerade. BTW , q and A Rich. Who was at the Throttle of the 765 when 765 and 1225 did the whistle salute at Lima Locomotive Works on August 3, 1991? You or the late Tom Stephens?
Seeing you have your grandkids help you blow that whistle one last time made me cry. You gave them a lasting memory that they'll brag about to their friends at school for years.
Hey Rich. This is Max. We met in Binghamton, New York on Monday August 3, 2015 when 765 was deadheading from Buffalo, New to Binghamton, New York. You, Bob Saxtan and Frank Collins are my railroader idols and one of the main reasons why I became a railroader. Thank you for making me who I want to be. I also want to thank you for all of the hard work you have done. I hope we get to see each other soon. Take care and happy retirement.
It's videos like this that make me right happy to be a railfan and a person in general. Here's to a lifetime of memories and friends. Happy retirement Rich. Sincerely: A western NC hillbilly.
Rich was one of the reasons I got interested in trains. I grew up watching him in steaming up the new river gorge behind the throttle of the 765, back when it was the c&o 2765 for the excursion. I even mimic his style of quilling in train sims, particularly in derail valley where the whistle is quillable. You sir are a legend Rich Melvin!
I appreciate the kind words. I have often said that I'm a legend in my own mind. 🤣 Why...my autograph and a couple of bucks can get you a cup of coffee almost anywhere! Seriously, thanks very much.
Very touching video, Rich. Thank you for all the wonderful things you brought to the FWRHS and keeping the 765 alive and running to this day. Without dedicated railroaders, no one could experience true living and breathing history that built this great country. It was very inspirational hearing about all the things you did and I hope the younger generation of railfans and railroaders like myself can carry this tradition on for many more years to come. -Mark
@@RichMelvin You're welcome, and you are exactly right. I hope that enough young people will care about this history to preserve it just as well as you guys have.
I appreciate your comment, Brian, but there were people ready to fill my shoes the day I retired back in 2016. As I said in the opening scene of this video, I was a member of a great team, the 765 Crew. The mark of every good team is that no one person is indispensable. When I stepped down and retired, there was a seamless transition to the younger men on the crew who have now taken over the operations planning and crewing of the 765. And they have done an EXCELLENT job.
Mr rich is one of those engineers that inspire me, as I’m currently an engineer at the Georgia museum of agriculture on they’re Vulcan steam locomotive, I’ve been on that locomotive since I was seven Years old helping my grandfather run it. And last year I turned 18 and I got legal to drive it and it is such a surreal experience to drive a steam locomotive especially for a person as young as myself.
This exemplifies the enchantment of running live steam. These old engines have personalty like no modern machinery has. When I grew up I went into Air Force jets, but have always had a soft spot for these ancient wonders. Thanks for a wonderful video. Every child should have the opportunity to see it, and better yet, to have a similar experience! Thank you, Rich.
Happy retirement Rich, your skill and showmanship will be preserved forever. You could sure get 765 to put on a show for anyone who was lucky enough to see her in action. I could watch Runnin' that New River train a 1000 times just to see the crew in action.
My fireman in that New River Train video was Kim Besecker. He was one of the best firemen to ever hold down that left-hand seat. He really knew what he was doing.
Thank you Sir for your years of service to this Grand Ole Girl. also for keeping her running and for her preservation. I know the Family was very proud and your Grandsons will never forget this. please enjoy your Retirement you have a lot of story's to tell. stay safe.
Rich, congrats on your retirement. I’ve always been intrigued on videos with you running the 765. It’s a beautiful locomotive. I’ve worked between two railroads now for 24 yrs, prior engineer and RFE myself. Now I’m in a ops mgt position. Years ago I missed an opportunity to run Southern 4501 with the assistance from my father at TVRM. Unfortunately my work got in the way as to ran a train to Nashville from Birmingham. I’ve operated all sorts of locomotives over the years and hope one day get behind the throttle of a steam locomotive. God bless and thanks for the many years of inspiration. Jason O.
Thank you for your service rich. The FWRHS, and the 765 will miss you. Your contribution to the engine was phenomenal and I’m somewhat of a newbie to volunteering at FWRHS, but I look up to you a lot, so thank you.
It truly was an honor to serve on that crew for thirty four years. The 765 crew is a great team, and the hallmark of a good team is that no one person is indispensable. When I retired, younger men stepped forward to take over the operational and logistics planning. It was a very seamless transition, as it should be. The current Operations Manager is Zach Hall, and he's doing a great job.
@@RichMelvin i remember when 765 did a 1982 Knoxville fan trip, Bill Purdie and Bill Payne were taking turns at the throttle. Howell Edmunds was firing IIRC
A heartwarming video Rich. It was an honor and a privilege to have served with you on the crew over the years, including piloting my father and I a few years ago during the Throttle Time event on the Cuyahoga Valley. You're a class act.
Awesome, My great grandfather was an engineer in Durango Mexico. My mom had a photo of him with the locomotive behind him and on the left and right side of him were men holding rifles. She said he was killed when bandits damaged the tracks and tried to rob the train. He was shot when the train was stopped and he stood back up to do something. The Army in the back of the train fought off the bandits according to my mom.
Engineer Rich Melvin, Goodbye, Ol' Friend. We Will Never Forget You, Rich Melvin. We Love You, Rich Melvin. You've Been Awesome, Rich Melvin. 🚂🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋
Rich, this brought tears to my eyes and loved every moment. I remember riding the cab with you and Tom when I was around your grandsons age. I wish you the very best my friend! - Erik Landrum
Just came across this video. Congratulations on your retirement Rich. Thank you for your dedication to the FWRHS and NKP 765. I had an opportunity to meet you one year at Steam In The Valley and ask a few questions and you were very kind and very gracious. Very knowledgeable and a true gentleman. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video
Rich Ive always wanted todrive the 765 seen it 6 times it never gets old thank for your videos and hard work to keep me and everyone else proud to see steam on the rails
Thanks for the kind words, Steve. However, as a point of continuing education, we don’t “drive” locomotives in the United States. We “run” locomotives here. They “drive” them in the UK and Europe.
Best video on u tube those grandsons will never forget it my granddaddy was engineer for 45 yrs most on a steamer now I know what it was like in the cab enjoy your retirement
Thank you for sending the link for this one to me, Rich. I'm glad your family and especially your grandsons got to ride with you in the cab for the last run. That will be something they'll remember their whole lives. Thank you for sharing the final run with us.
My grandpa was a steamer for 44 years. I see this boys as myself! Some tears in my eyes and memories come back with my rides and wistle blowing! Happy retiremenmt Sir!
Rich.....I really enjoyed this video. Wow...34 years running the #765 Berkshire. I am a retired police officer of 32 years. I have enjoyed trains my entire life. I am now 60 years old. My childhood dream was to be an engineer on a railroad in the days of steam. I saw your video of the Attica Hill. You said, “ Modern railroaders don’t understand the power of steam”. You clearly demonstrated it on the hill in Attica N.Y. What I would give to run a steam loco for just a few minutes. You got to enjoy it for 34 years. Happy Retirement Sir. What a life you have enjoyed!. Yours sincerely, Eric H. Hutchinson.
Thanks, Eric. Many kind words in your post, and they are appreciated. And thanks for your years of service in law enforcement. You need to sign up for the Fort Wayne Email list. You’ll get advance notice of special events, like Throttle Time. Then you can realize your dream. Go to 765.org.
I know it had to be a dream to operate 765 for so many years. Was hoping to get to met you if I had the chance to see the 765. But most of my time has been down here in the South mostly Louisiana and Texas. I am a member of Louisiana Steam Train Association with SP 745. I can remember doing a cab ride with the crew of 745. But 765 is one on my list to see up close.
Hello Rich! I'm a long time fan of 765 and I loved watching you in VHS & DVD's I own and I Hope you good during these rough times, enjoy your retirement. Cheers- Max
Thank you for sharing this Rich! You and 765 crew have done so much to inspire me to start taking an active role in railroad preservation (and operation). The experiences I've had with the 765 definitely pushed me over the edge into being an avid volunteer. I'm still learning the ropes, but I would never have gotten started if it weren't for people like you.
Congratulations Rich! Hope retirement is everything you expect it to be! Thanks for keeping steam engines alive during your career, because we sure do love them!
My love for this engine started back when I saw you running her on the New River Trains back in the late 80’s early 90’s. My old man worked for CSX and I was exposed to 765 at a young age. Thank you for being a large reason to why I to this day still love this engine and the mission of the FWRHS. Happy Retirement Rich!
Congratulations on your retirement, I live in PA i saw 765 on horseshoe curve and Harrisburg when they ran the ns excursions it was a great experience all the best.
The moment I watched this Video I got obsessed with trains and found out how awesome they are...you know...I think after I am done with College I think I'm gonna be a Train Engineer and work for the NPk 765 team! I hope the years that you work for the NKP 765 team was really fun! I can't wait to be a Train Engineer!
Steve, I truly appreciate your comment. But I was not the “best“ 765 crew member. I was a member of a great team, and nobody on the team was, or is, indispensable.
You are my favorite I like the Attica hill video also I like how you are the only guy who really pulls that throttle out and highballs it fast for the photo runs and excursions
I want to become an engineer too and the loco I'll be driving is NC&STL 576 once I get training and everything along with finishing up community collage.
What a great send off. This reminds me of the Southern days in the 70's on Southern 4501. A great video and misty eyed at the end. Hope your retirement is going well.
What a magnificent way to finish your career and to share the moment with his Grandsons, what a lovely gentleman. I remember, my last day working steam, and it was unfortunately a bit of an anticlimax as I didn't know it was going to be my last Steam Job for Queensland Rail Heritage. But I made sure I gave the firman a good work out and it was a good fast run from Ipswich Workshop into Mayne Depot in Brisbane. Congratulations for your service Sir.
Adrian, it was indeed a special day for me. Having my family aboard the train and my grandsons in the cab with me was the icing on the cake. It was an absolute perfect way to end my 50-year railroad career.
@@RichMelvin I've clocked up a bit over 20yrs with QR last December and I'm seeing more guys hanging on til into their 70's since the Australian Federal Government abolished the retirement age at 65. Our Oldest Driver in Brisbane is 75. So 50yrs service is more achievable for some. I was in the US in 2019 to see the Big Boy and 844 at Ogden, you guys certainly make our 3ft 6" gauge trains look like toys. But was awesome raw power you had on your locos. If you would like to see some of our trains, please feel free to have a look at my channel. Again Congratulations on Retirement and hope have passion for hobbies to enjoy time with family and friends. God Bless mate.
Hey Rich, I saw your train in person when I was little! It came by the Toledo Refinery and it was awesome how much of a surprise it was to my dad, my grandparents, my uncle, and my cousin! That's an awesome job you had yourself! Enjoy your retirement! You've earned it!
Congratulations Rich and happy retirement to you. Your last run could not have gone any better and it made my heart happy seeing your grandsons in the cab and your family and crew to send you off with a bang. Fort Wayne will miss you and 765 I know she will miss you. But you and her will have a lasting legacy. I have loved 765 and the Nickel Plate Road since I was a child when i first learned about her in the 90s and when I first saw her at Trainfestival 2009 and i have books and dvds of her and her sisters and of the Nickel Plate Road and two MTH models 763 & 765. There is no other machine out there that man has created then the steam locomotive that can spark the imagination and cause hearts to soar and I will love steam locomotives as long as I live. I can her them breathing and talking every time I see one.
Nice showing, a beautiful day for a last run. Congratulations on 34 years Rich. But you'll need to come ride and maaaaybe take the seat of a certain SD9 someday soon in the valley.
Very very meaningful video Rich. I have truly enjoyed all the videos you have been featured in with the 765 along with the videos you produced with Hopewell. It was an honor to see you in person later in your career running the 765 on the Delaware-Lackawanna mainline out of Scranton in 2015. Hope you are enjoying your retirement and still fulfill your steam fix from time to time. I truly hope your grandsons share your interest in steam/railroading as I did with my loving grandfather for 22 years. God bless you sir. Alex K. Ellicott City, MD.
Enjoy your well earned retirement Mr. Melvin! Yours has truly been an incredible career as a railroad man. I'm planning on getting one of the lionel 765 berks with your voice in the crewtalk dialogue. Godspeed, Highball.
Such a great presentation. Loved the ending with you and the grandkids doing that long final pull together. As others said.... brought a tear to my eye, not gonna lie. Happy retirement Mr. Melvin.
What A Great Grandpa! Awesome 😎👍💯% what an amazing career! One Most only dream of You've Lived, what a Legacy, definitely hard to Match. Thank You for involving the boys in You're last run! All in All, You're a Great Man! Enjoy You're Retirement spending it with You're loved ones so Precious! Be well Steam Locamotor Engineer! Love Stephen Santangelo
The end honestly did make me tear up a little, ending your career with your grandsons and you blowing the whistle. Maybe they’ll get to run the 765 again one day, who knows. This video brought back some memories for me too. I remember chasing that years trip through the valley. It was the same exact day that you had your final run, although I didn’t know it because I was younger. The first experience I ever had with 765 was your last. I’m glad your experience has been good with the 765, and I’m hoping you have enjoyed your retirement so far.
Oh wow I had no idea you retired Rich. I always wanted to meet you and pick your brain. I've only operated the small logging engines at Mt Rainier but you were a huge inspiration. Happy retirement Rich!
Some of Rich Melvin 's best memories was the New River Gorge Trips in the 1980s up to 1994. I got various NKP 765 DVDs from Pentrex and a couple from Gregg Scholl. I also got Steaming up New River Gorge from Skyfire
Thank you for making so many memories for so many people, as a fellow railfan and enthusiast i salute you sir, god bless, happy retierment and keep riding :D
Recently on Facebook someone shared a video documenting Bill Purdie's final run which coincidentally was on NKP 765. I find it ironic yet special that 765 was again the locomotive used for the final run of another great engineer who has not only done wonderful things for 765, but for the arena that is steam preservation.
Thanks for the kind words, Adam. I knew Bill Purdie. He was a special guy, that's for sure. 765 was also the locomotive that served for the last run of another steam engineer, Russ Sunderland. At the time of his retirement, Russ was the Division Road Foreman of Engines for the Virginia Division of Chessie/CSX.
Hello Rich, I must say, like Matt's previous comment this video brought tears to my eyes as well. I'm not sure if you remember me, considering all the people you meet everywhere you've been while at the throttle of that beautiful Machine, but I shook your hand at Steamtown when 765 was visiting for the Phoebe Snow trips while Jason Sobczynski was buttoning up the smokebox after replacing a few boiler tubes. I grew up watching all of the Pentrex videos featuring the 765 as well as other Engines you've skillfully run over the miles and miles of steel ribbon across this great country, the 261, the 614, the 2716, among others and it was always you in the right hand seat. I've always aspired to one day be an Engineer, but not just an Engineer, one that you and the other greats would approve of, and one that will learn the trade diligently much like you have dedicated so many years of your life and career to doing. You've been a tremendous inspiration to me, and I must say I will miss seeing you at the throttle whether in person or on video. I've also recently discovered your own excellent Hopewell rail documentaries, and I must say they are even better than Pentrex! You have done so much for the Steam Preservation world in so many ways and all of us that enjoy it owe you a debt of gratitude for your service. I've been given an opportunity to achieve my dream by another great man in the Steam World, Frank Vopasek (who worked closely with Ross Rowland on the 614, also at Steamtown for many years while it was still in Vermont, and also at the Morris County Central. Now he is an Engineer at the New Hope & Ivyland) taking me under his wing and getting me in with the New Hope & Ivyland as a Student Fireman, and hopefully with enough time, effort, and experience, I will eventually become an Engineer. It's definitely challenging with many things to learn about both the Engine and the Railroad, but I'm enjoying every minute of it. Jason is another great steam man that I'm honored to have met, he's also a wealth of knowledge and an excellent mechanic and machinist, and I'm very glad he was on your crew. He's also helped me tremendously and has answered very clearly any in-depth mechanical or technical questions I've ever had about steam. I was pleasantly surprised to hear he also worked with Frank at New Hope for quite a while. But, since I'm not always able to make the 2+ Hour Journey to New Hope from my home in Upstate NY to continue my tuition in the cab of the Engine, I also have a collection of Steam Models (both Stationary and Locomotive) that I've acquired in various states of disrepair and rehabilitated to operating condition that are great fun to run and help keep my passion for steam burning brightly like a well-made coal fire. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you once again for being such a role model and inspiration for not only myself but all the steam community as a whole! Your skill and experience as an expert Steam Locomotive Engineer is invaluable, and it is my goal to absorb as much as I can from the real steam men such as Yourself, Frank, Jason and others. It was a genuine honor and pleasure to shake your hand, sir. Even though you've passed the Throttle to the next generation, you will always be 765's real Engineer in my eyes. She's your Engine. May God bless you and your family, and may you always have Green Signals ahead, good Coal, softened Feedwater, and a Full Head of Steam! -Brandon Pena
Brandon, I genuinely appreciate your kind words. I know the name and reputation of Frank Vopasek, but I’ve never had the honor of meeting him. Pay attention to what he teaches you and you’ll end up as good an engineer as he is.
Man, had only I had been there that year! My first time seeing 765 was in 2019 and though the weather was temperamental, I got some good shots. Assuming you and your family got off there, I can imagine the only way to finish the day was with a dinner in the trolley at Spaghetti Warehouse.
LOL! Yeah…I’m a legend in my own mind. 🤣 I’ve heard that my autograph and a couple of bucks will get you a cup of coffee almost any where. 😁 Seriously, thank you for the kind words.
This looked like it was a fun day. I’ve seen 765’s cousin, Pere Marquette 1225, twice in Cadillac, Michigan. I’m a big fan of steam locomotives like the 765 and 1225. In your 34 years as the engineer of the 765, what was your all time favorite event to participate with the 765 in?
I remember nkp no 765 came through Dawson Springs Ky on the old Illinois central railroad it’s now Paducah and Louisville nkp 765 came through Dawson Springs Ky in 1992
@@RichMelvin I have a picture of the 765 coming through Princeton kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville on September 19th 1992 I’m going to make a video on that
Thank you Mr. Melvin. I found this video as I searched for your name, hoping to find out more about your run of the "2765" through the New River Gorge seen in a Pentrex video. I post clips from Pentrex (and other) shows on our (Railfan Depot) social media page (with permission) at one point early in the run, you shoved the throttle, looking quite startled, back to an idle position and then pulled it back toward you. Care to share what happened? edit: was that because of wheel slip? Anyhow, I hope retirement is being kind to you. Take care.
The New River Trains that we ran between Huntington and Hinton in west Virginia were by far the toughest on the locomotive and the crew. At 310 miles round trip, they were long trips, which meant long days for the crew. The trains filled out to 34 cars, which were the longest and heaviest passenger trains ever pulled by steam. On the eastbound run, once we got into the gorge east of Montgomery, West Virginia, it was uphill all the way to Meadow Creek where we came off the train to turn. That was about two hours with the throttle wide open! The 765 had to give us everything she had to run those trips on schedule. But she did it in grand style every time. . Of course, the westbound trip back to Huntington was easy - mostly downhill.
I first heard about the 765 on the running that new river train program and that is what got me interested in the 765 and I saw how hard you and the locomotive battled those slippery rails with that 32 car train plus I think the old girl misses you at her throttle lol
I miss seeing you behind the throttle, Rich! Thanks for all the great memories.
This brought tears to my eyes. Rich Melvin is the reason I wanna become an locomotive engineer. He is a huge inspiration. Happy retirement, you were a true inspiration of mine.
-Matt Dotson
Thank you, Matt. Your words are very meaningful to me. I hope you end up landing a good engineer’s job some day.
Rich Melvin your welcome. I might make a tribute video in honer if your retirement on my channel soon, it may be a while before I release it, because I wanna put a lot of effort into it to make it worth something. Once I finish it I’ll send you A comment. Again thanks for being one of my main inspirations in railroading. It means a lot.
Rich Melvin got to meet 2 other well another well known Engineers in his career. Steve Lee at the 1993 NRHS Convention in Chicago, Illinois when NKP 765 was joined by UP Challenger 3985 and at 2009 Train Festival in Michigan, Doyle McCormack on SP 4449 Daylight
@@clintgates7526 There were a few more:
Ross Rowland (2101 and 614)
Bob Saxtan (Norfolk Southern Steam Program plus 611 and 1218)
Robert Franzen (several engines)
Scott Lindsay (611)
...and several more. The steam community is a small one.
And Not to mention Mr Robert Claytor. My favorite DVDS from Pentrex featuring the 765 were Huntington Steam Combo and Chesapeake and Ohio 2765. New River Masquerade. BTW , q and A Rich. Who was at the Throttle of the 765 when 765 and 1225 did the whistle salute at Lima Locomotive Works on August 3, 1991? You or the late Tom Stephens?
Seeing you have your grandkids help you blow that whistle one last time made me cry. You gave them a lasting memory that they'll brag about to their friends at school for years.
Hey Rich. This is Max. We met in Binghamton, New York on Monday August 3, 2015 when 765 was deadheading from Buffalo, New to Binghamton, New York. You, Bob Saxtan and Frank Collins are my railroader idols and one of the main reasons why I became a railroader. Thank you for making me who I want to be. I also want to thank you for all of the hard work you have done. I hope we get to see each other soon. Take care and happy retirement.
Thanks, Max! I’m not in the same league with Bob and Frank, but I’m honored that you included me with those two guys. All the best to you.
@@RichMelvin Thanks Rich!
It's videos like this that make me right happy to be a railfan and a person in general. Here's to a lifetime of memories and friends. Happy retirement Rich.
Sincerely: A western NC hillbilly.
Rich was one of the reasons I got interested in trains. I grew up watching him in steaming up the new river gorge behind the throttle of the 765, back when it was the c&o 2765 for the excursion. I even mimic his style of quilling in train sims, particularly in derail valley where the whistle is quillable.
You sir are a legend Rich Melvin!
I appreciate the kind words. I have often said that I'm a legend in my own mind. 🤣
Why...my autograph and a couple of bucks can get you a cup of coffee almost anywhere!
Seriously, thanks very much.
Very touching video, Rich. Thank you for all the wonderful things you brought to the FWRHS and keeping the 765 alive and running to this day. Without dedicated railroaders, no one could experience true living and breathing history that built this great country. It was very inspirational hearing about all the things you did and I hope the younger generation of railfans and railroaders like myself can carry this tradition on for many more years to come.
-Mark
Thanks, Mark. You young guys have to carry the torch, now.
@@RichMelvin You're welcome, and you are exactly right. I hope that enough young people will care about this history to preserve it just as well as you guys have.
@@RichMelvin Don't worry, hopefully someone will takeover for you!!!
I appreciate your comment, Brian, but there were people ready to fill my shoes the day I retired back in 2016. As I said in the opening scene of this video, I was a member of a great team, the 765 Crew. The mark of every good team is that no one person is indispensable. When I stepped down and retired, there was a seamless transition to the younger men on the crew who have now taken over the operations planning and crewing of the 765. And they have done an EXCELLENT job.
Mr rich is one of those engineers that inspire me, as I’m currently an engineer at the Georgia museum of agriculture on they’re Vulcan steam locomotive, I’ve been on that locomotive since I was seven Years old helping my grandfather run it. And last year I turned 18 and I got legal to drive it and it is such a surreal experience to drive a steam locomotive especially for a person as young as myself.
This exemplifies the enchantment of running live steam. These old engines have personalty like no modern machinery has. When I grew up I went into Air Force jets, but have always had a soft spot for these ancient wonders. Thanks for a wonderful video. Every child should have the opportunity to see it, and better yet, to have a similar experience! Thank you, Rich.
a year before your final run, I met you the day after my birthday. I still remember it. It was an awesome late birthday gift.
Well thanks, Michael! I’m glad I had a small part in your birthday celebration.
Happy retirement Rich, your skill and showmanship will be preserved forever. You could sure get 765 to put on a show for anyone who was lucky enough to see her in action. I could watch Runnin' that New River train a 1000 times just to see the crew in action.
My fireman in that New River Train video was Kim Besecker. He was one of the best firemen to ever hold down that left-hand seat. He really knew what he was doing.
I can't express how much I love this.
Thank you Sir for your years of service to this Grand Ole Girl. also for keeping her running and for her preservation. I know the Family was very proud and your Grandsons will never forget this. please enjoy your Retirement you have a lot of story's to tell. stay safe.
Thanks for the kind words, Robert. She is indeed a “Grand Ole Girl.”
Rich, congrats on your retirement. I’ve always been intrigued on videos with you running the 765. It’s a beautiful locomotive. I’ve worked between two railroads now for 24 yrs, prior engineer and RFE myself. Now I’m in a ops mgt position. Years ago I missed an opportunity to run Southern 4501 with the assistance from my father at TVRM. Unfortunately my work got in the way as to ran a train to Nashville from Birmingham. I’ve operated all sorts of locomotives over the years and hope one day get behind the throttle of a steam locomotive. God bless and thanks for the many years of inspiration. Jason O.
Thanks for your kind comments, Jason.
Thank you for your service rich. The FWRHS, and the 765 will miss you. Your contribution to the engine was phenomenal and I’m somewhat of a newbie to volunteering at FWRHS, but I look up to you a lot, so thank you.
It truly was an honor to serve on that crew for thirty four years. The 765 crew is a great team, and the hallmark of a good team is that no one person is indispensable. When I retired, younger men stepped forward to take over the operational and logistics planning. It was a very seamless transition, as it should be. The current Operations Manager is Zach Hall, and he's doing a great job.
@@RichMelvin thats cool
@@RichMelvin i remember when 765 did a 1982 Knoxville fan trip, Bill Purdie and Bill Payne were taking turns at the throttle. Howell Edmunds was firing IIRC
I WANT this on dvd and not just you tube!! God Speed Sir! It's been a pleasure and thanks for the awesome memories!!
A heartwarming video Rich. It was an honor and a privilege to have served with you on the crew over the years, including piloting my father and I a few years ago during the Throttle Time event on the Cuyahoga Valley. You're a class act.
Those are very kind words, Mike. Thanks very much.
Awesome, My great grandfather was an engineer in Durango Mexico. My mom had a photo of him with the locomotive behind him and on the left and right side of him were men holding rifles. She said he was killed when bandits damaged the tracks and tried to rob the train. He was shot when the train was stopped and he stood back up to do something. The Army in the back of the train fought off the bandits according to my mom.
Engineer Rich Melvin, Goodbye, Ol' Friend. We Will Never Forget You, Rich Melvin. We Love You, Rich Melvin. You've Been Awesome, Rich Melvin. 🚂🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋
Rich, this brought tears to my eyes and loved every moment. I remember riding the cab with you and Tom when I was around your grandsons age. I wish you the very best my friend! - Erik Landrum
Fantastic video. What a treat for your grandsons to be with you on your last run. Thank you Rich for all you have done over the years!
Just came across this video. Congratulations on your retirement Rich. Thank you for your dedication to the FWRHS and NKP 765. I had an opportunity to meet you one year at Steam In The Valley and ask a few questions and you were very kind and very gracious. Very knowledgeable and a true gentleman. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video
Rich Ive always wanted todrive the 765 seen it 6 times it never gets old thank for your videos and hard work to keep me and everyone else proud to see steam on the rails
Thanks for the kind words, Steve. However, as a point of continuing education, we don’t “drive” locomotives in the United States. We “run” locomotives here. They “drive” them in the UK and Europe.
Truly an inspiration, Rich. Great to see someone like you live out they're job one last time with they're family, bless you and the rest of the crew.
Thanks very much Mr. Wolf. It truly was a special day.
Best video on u tube those grandsons will never forget it my granddaddy was engineer for 45 yrs most on a steamer now I know what it was like in the cab enjoy your retirement
Thank you for sending the link for this one to me, Rich. I'm glad your family and especially your grandsons got to ride with you in the cab for the last run. That will be something they'll remember their whole lives. Thank you for sharing the final run with us.
My grandpa was a steamer for 44 years. I see this boys as myself! Some tears in my eyes and memories come back with my rides and wistle blowing! Happy retiremenmt Sir!
Congratulations Rich and happy retirement.
We Will Miss You For All Eternity, Rich Melvin. You've Givin' Us The Best "Steam Locomotive" Adventures We've Ever Had. 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
Rich.....I really enjoyed this video. Wow...34 years running the #765 Berkshire. I am a retired police officer of 32 years. I have enjoyed trains my entire life. I am now 60 years old. My childhood dream was to be an engineer on a railroad in the days of steam. I saw your video of the Attica Hill. You said, “ Modern railroaders don’t understand the power of steam”. You clearly demonstrated it on the hill in Attica N.Y. What I would give to run a steam loco for just a few minutes. You got to enjoy it for 34 years. Happy Retirement Sir. What a life you have enjoyed!. Yours sincerely, Eric H. Hutchinson.
Thanks, Eric. Many kind words in your post, and they are appreciated. And thanks for your years of service in law enforcement. You need to sign up for the Fort Wayne Email list. You’ll get advance notice of special events, like Throttle Time. Then you can realize your dream. Go to 765.org.
I know it had to be a dream to operate 765 for so many years. Was hoping to get to met you if I had the chance to see the 765. But most of my time has been down here in the South mostly Louisiana and Texas. I am a member of Louisiana Steam Train Association with SP 745. I can remember doing a cab ride with the crew of 745. But 765 is one on my list to see up close.
Love that whistle! Thanks for the 'in the seat' look at that beautiful locomotive! I'd love to run her one day 😊
Hello Rich! I'm a long time fan of 765 and I loved watching you in VHS & DVD's I own and I Hope you good during these rough times, enjoy your retirement. Cheers- Max
Thanks for the kind words, Max!
Thank you for sharing this Rich! You and 765 crew have done so much to inspire me to start taking an active role in railroad preservation (and operation). The experiences I've had with the 765 definitely pushed me over the edge into being an avid volunteer. I'm still learning the ropes, but I would never have gotten started if it weren't for people like you.
Congratulations Rich! Hope retirement is everything you expect it to be! Thanks for keeping steam engines alive during your career, because we sure do love them!
My love for this engine started back when I saw you running her on the New River Trains back in the late 80’s early 90’s. My old man worked for CSX and I was exposed to 765 at a young age. Thank you for being a large reason to why I to this day still love this engine and the mission of the FWRHS. Happy Retirement Rich!
Congratulations on your retirement, I live in PA i saw 765 on horseshoe curve and Harrisburg when they ran the ns excursions it was a great experience all the best.
Know you’ve been an inspiration to all of us!
The moment I watched this Video I got obsessed with trains and found out how awesome they are...you know...I think after I am done with College I think I'm gonna be a Train Engineer and work for the NPk 765 team! I hope the years that you work for the NKP 765 team was really fun! I can't wait to be a Train Engineer!
you are the best 765 crew member and you will always be remembered hopefully the 765 comes back in 2021 to steam in the valley
Steve, I truly appreciate your comment. But I was not the “best“ 765 crew member. I was a member of a great team, and nobody on the team was, or is, indispensable.
You are my favorite I like the Attica hill video also I like how you are the only guy who really pulls that throttle out and highballs it fast for the photo runs and excursions
I want to become an engineer too and the loco I'll be driving is NC&STL 576 once I get training and everything along with finishing up community collage.
What a great send off. This reminds me of the Southern days in the 70's on Southern 4501. A great video and misty eyed at the end. Hope your retirement is going well.
What a magnificent way to finish your career and to share the moment with his Grandsons, what a lovely gentleman. I remember, my last day working steam, and it was unfortunately a bit of an anticlimax as I didn't know it was going to be my last Steam Job for Queensland Rail Heritage. But I made sure I gave the firman a good work out and it was a good fast run from Ipswich Workshop into Mayne Depot in Brisbane. Congratulations for your service Sir.
Adrian, it was indeed a special day for me. Having my family aboard the train and my grandsons in the cab with me was the icing on the cake. It was an absolute perfect way to end my 50-year railroad career.
@@RichMelvin I've clocked up a bit over 20yrs with QR last December and I'm seeing more guys hanging on til into their 70's since the Australian Federal Government abolished the retirement age at 65. Our Oldest Driver in Brisbane is 75. So 50yrs service is more achievable for some. I was in the US in 2019 to see the Big Boy and 844 at Ogden, you guys certainly make our 3ft 6" gauge trains look like toys. But was awesome raw power you had on your locos. If you would like to see some of our trains, please feel free to have a look at my channel. Again Congratulations on Retirement and hope have passion for hobbies to enjoy time with family and friends. God Bless mate.
Wonderful video and a great way to round out a storied career on the 765. Happy retirement!
Thank you for your service on The Big Berk! She's the Pride of my homeland, and I consider her the TRUE spirit of The Wabash Cannonball.
Hey Rich, I saw your train in person when I was little! It came by the Toledo Refinery and it was awesome how much of a surprise it was to my dad, my grandparents, my uncle, and my cousin! That's an awesome job you had yourself! Enjoy your retirement! You've earned it!
Congratulations Rich and happy retirement to you. Your last run could not have gone any better and it made my heart happy seeing your grandsons in the cab and your family and crew to send you off with a bang. Fort Wayne will miss you and 765 I know she will miss you. But you and her will have a lasting legacy. I have loved 765 and the Nickel Plate Road since I was a child when i first learned about her in the 90s and when I first saw her at Trainfestival 2009 and i have books and dvds of her and her sisters and of the Nickel Plate Road and two MTH models 763 & 765. There is no other machine out there that man has created then the steam locomotive that can spark the imagination and cause hearts to soar and I will love steam locomotives as long as I live. I can her them breathing and talking every time I see one.
Nice showing, a beautiful day for a last run. Congratulations on 34 years Rich. But you'll need to come ride and maaaaybe take the seat of a certain SD9 someday soon in the valley.
Thanks, W.D. An SD9, eh? Yep...I know the one you’re talking about and I would love to do that.
Meeting you in person was unforgettable when I was a kid. Your a legend and you won’t be forgotten! Enjoy retirement!
Thank you rich Melvin for keeping railroad history alive and thank for what you have done for steam railroading fans a across the world
Rich melvin should come do a special run !
Very very meaningful video Rich. I have truly enjoyed all the videos you have been featured in with the 765 along with the videos you produced with Hopewell. It was an honor to see you in person later in your career running the 765 on the Delaware-Lackawanna mainline out of Scranton in 2015. Hope you are enjoying your retirement and still fulfill your steam fix from time to time. I truly hope your grandsons share your interest in steam/railroading as I did with my loving grandfather for 22 years. God bless you sir. Alex K. Ellicott City, MD.
Thank you, Alex. I am enjoying retirement, traveling the country with The Lovely and Gracious Linda in our motor home.
Enjoy your well earned retirement Mr. Melvin! Yours has truly been an incredible career as a railroad man. I'm planning on getting one of the lionel 765 berks with your voice in the crewtalk dialogue. Godspeed, Highball.
Thanks very much for the kind words, Chargerus.
Such a great presentation. Loved the ending with you and the grandkids doing that long final pull together. As others said.... brought a tear to my eye, not gonna lie. Happy retirement Mr. Melvin.
What A Great Grandpa! Awesome 😎👍💯% what an amazing career! One Most only dream of You've Lived, what a Legacy, definitely hard to Match. Thank You for involving the boys in You're last run! All in All, You're a Great Man! Enjoy You're Retirement spending it with You're loved ones so Precious! Be well Steam Locamotor Engineer! Love Stephen Santangelo
A very well done 34 years, Rich, VERY WELL DONE!!!
Thanks, Wiseguy!
The end honestly did make me tear up a little, ending your career with your grandsons and you blowing the whistle. Maybe they’ll get to run the 765 again one day, who knows. This video brought back some memories for me too. I remember chasing that years trip through the valley. It was the same exact day that you had your final run, although I didn’t know it because I was younger. The first experience I ever had with 765 was your last. I’m glad your experience has been good with the 765, and I’m hoping you have enjoyed your retirement so far.
Thanks very much for the kind words. Your first day and my last - how about that!
I am enjoying retirement so far, and life in general.
@@RichMelvin Great to hear! Glad it’s going well.
This is a very informative, high quality and, yes, emotional video of the art of running a steam engine by a talented professional. Nice job Rich!
Thanks, TJ. It was a very special day, for sure!
Rich your a true American! This was beyond fantastic
OMG I love it. Congratulations MR. Melvin.
As always, 765 runs great! And That ending was very heartwarming. Happy retirement! And best of wishes!
Oh wow I had no idea you retired Rich. I always wanted to meet you and pick your brain. I've only operated the small logging engines at Mt Rainier but you were a huge inspiration. Happy retirement Rich!
The power of steam. This story illustrates it better than any story I ever heard.
Some of Rich Melvin 's best memories was the New River Gorge Trips in the 1980s up to 1994. I got various NKP 765 DVDs from Pentrex and a couple from Gregg Scholl. I also got Steaming up New River Gorge from Skyfire
I Love This UA-cam Video So Much
Thank you for making so many memories for so many people, as a fellow railfan and enthusiast i salute you sir, god bless, happy retierment and keep riding :D
This brought back some great memories of working on 765 while you were on the crew.
Recently on Facebook someone shared a video documenting Bill Purdie's final run which coincidentally was on NKP 765. I find it ironic yet special that 765 was again the locomotive used for the final run of another great engineer who has not only done wonderful things for 765, but for the arena that is steam preservation.
Thanks for the kind words, Adam. I knew Bill Purdie. He was a special guy, that's for sure.
765 was also the locomotive that served for the last run of another steam engineer, Russ Sunderland. At the time of his retirement, Russ was the Division Road Foreman of Engines for the Virginia Division of Chessie/CSX.
Hello Rich, I must say, like Matt's previous comment this video brought tears to my eyes as well. I'm not sure if you remember me, considering all the people you meet everywhere you've been while at the throttle of that beautiful Machine, but I shook your hand at Steamtown when 765 was visiting for the Phoebe Snow trips while Jason Sobczynski was buttoning up the smokebox after replacing a few boiler tubes. I grew up watching all of the Pentrex videos featuring the 765 as well as other Engines you've skillfully run over the miles and miles of steel ribbon across this great country, the 261, the 614, the 2716, among others and it was always you in the right hand seat. I've always aspired to one day be an Engineer, but not just an Engineer, one that you and the other greats would approve of, and one that will learn the trade diligently much like you have dedicated so many years of your life and career to doing. You've been a tremendous inspiration to me, and I must say I will miss seeing you at the throttle whether in person or on video. I've also recently discovered your own excellent Hopewell rail documentaries, and I must say they are even better than Pentrex! You have done so much for the Steam Preservation world in so many ways and all of us that enjoy it owe you a debt of gratitude for your service. I've been given an opportunity to achieve my dream by another great man in the Steam World, Frank Vopasek (who worked closely with Ross Rowland on the 614, also at Steamtown for many years while it was still in Vermont, and also at the Morris County Central. Now he is an Engineer at the New Hope & Ivyland) taking me under his wing and getting me in with the New Hope & Ivyland as a Student Fireman, and hopefully with enough time, effort, and experience, I will eventually become an Engineer. It's definitely challenging with many things to learn about both the Engine and the Railroad, but I'm enjoying every minute of it. Jason is another great steam man that I'm honored to have met, he's also a wealth of knowledge and an excellent mechanic and machinist, and I'm very glad he was on your crew. He's also helped me tremendously and has answered very clearly any in-depth mechanical or technical questions I've ever had about steam. I was pleasantly surprised to hear he also worked with Frank at New Hope for quite a while. But, since I'm not always able to make the 2+ Hour Journey to New Hope from my home in Upstate NY to continue my tuition in the cab of the Engine, I also have a collection of Steam Models (both Stationary and Locomotive) that I've acquired in various states of disrepair and rehabilitated to operating condition that are great fun to run and help keep my passion for steam burning brightly like a well-made coal fire. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you once again for being such a role model and inspiration for not only myself but all the steam community as a whole! Your skill and experience as an expert Steam Locomotive Engineer is invaluable, and it is my goal to absorb as much as I can from the real steam men such as Yourself, Frank, Jason and others. It was a genuine honor and pleasure to shake your hand, sir. Even though you've passed the Throttle to the next generation, you will always be 765's real Engineer in my eyes. She's your Engine. May God bless you and your family, and may you always have Green Signals ahead, good Coal, softened Feedwater, and a Full Head of Steam!
-Brandon Pena
Brandon, I genuinely appreciate your kind words. I know the name and reputation of Frank Vopasek, but I’ve never had the honor of meeting him. Pay attention to what he teaches you and you’ll end up as good an engineer as he is.
It’s never goodbye we all still hear you in the whistle happy retirement
Really cool video. I saw it posted on the Crossed Anchors discord.
Best UA-cam Video In The Universe
Man, had only I had been there that year! My first time seeing 765 was in 2019 and though the weather was temperamental, I got some good shots.
Assuming you and your family got off there, I can imagine the only way to finish the day was with a dinner in the trolley at Spaghetti Warehouse.
Rich Melvin IS the 765, and always will be.
I had the honor of riding behind your second to last run.
The ending made me cry, not gonna lie:
At age 77, I was lucky to see NKP steam running in Chicago.
I'm crying
You are a true legend, Mr Melvin.
LOL! Yeah…I’m a legend in my own mind. 🤣
I’ve heard that my autograph and a couple of bucks will get you a cup of coffee almost any where. 😁
Seriously, thank you for the kind words.
Thank you for the memories and great stories!
Congrats on a great career Rich!
Thanks very much.
Hey Rich I was thinking have you heard about 576's restoration in Nashville and part of Nashville Steam.
*Salutes* You did good sir...maybe even great.
nothing better then a last roar on your last time working on 765.
Yes, I could not have ended my railroad career any better.
Rich we are going to miss you our crew miss you. You can see the locomotive any time you want
I can just remember watch old VHS’s of rich and the 765 back in the 80’s he is the g.o.a.t of the 765
This looked like it was a fun day. I’ve seen 765’s cousin, Pere Marquette 1225, twice in Cadillac, Michigan. I’m a big fan of steam locomotives like the 765 and 1225. In your 34 years as the engineer of the 765, what was your all time favorite event to participate with the 765 in?
Rich Melvin's final run.
Love 765
I remember nkp no 765 came through Dawson Springs Ky on the old Illinois central railroad it’s now Paducah and Louisville nkp 765 came through Dawson Springs Ky in 1992
You have a good memory. We ran some trips on the P&L out of Paducah in 1992.
@@RichMelvin I have a picture of the 765 coming through Princeton kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville on September 19th 1992 I’m going to make a video on that
sorry about the error I learned something new im turning 12 tomorrow on my dads account but yeah thats my dream to run the 765
No problem at all, Steve. You just learned something new. And you hang on to that dream!
Congratulations Rich🤟
Thank you, Mike.
Good Work On The Video. ☺️👍🏼
Apparently I'm crying now
Rich I have one of the original nkp railroad spikes that was used in 1940
What's the fastest you go on cvsr and where
Maximum track speed on the CVSR is 29 mph.
@@RichMelvin ok
Thank you Mr. Melvin. I found this video as I searched for your name, hoping to find out more about your run of the "2765" through the New River Gorge seen in a Pentrex video. I post clips from Pentrex (and other) shows on our (Railfan Depot) social media page (with permission) at one point early in the run, you shoved the throttle, looking quite startled, back to an idle position and then pulled it back toward you. Care to share what happened? edit: was that because of wheel slip? Anyhow, I hope retirement is being kind to you. Take care.
Yep, it was a wheel slip that caused me to move the throttle rapidly like that.
@@RichMelvin Thank you. I kind of suspected that after watching the video for a few more moments and reading your commentary! 🙂
Rich which trip was the toughest for you and the 765?
The New River Trains that we ran between Huntington and Hinton in west Virginia were by far the toughest on the locomotive and the crew. At 310 miles round trip, they were long trips, which meant long days for the crew. The trains filled out to 34 cars, which were the longest and heaviest passenger trains ever pulled by steam.
On the eastbound run, once we got into the gorge east of Montgomery, West Virginia, it was uphill all the way to Meadow Creek where we came off the train to turn. That was about two hours with the throttle wide open! The 765 had to give us everything she had to run those trips on schedule. But she did it in grand style every time.
.
Of course, the westbound trip back to Huntington was easy - mostly downhill.
I first heard about the 765 on the running that new river train program and that is what got me interested in the 765 and I saw how hard you and the locomotive battled those slippery rails with that 32 car train plus I think the old girl misses you at her throttle lol
Hope you’re having a good retirement!
I remember shaking his hand before he left.
We love you..