Nickel Plate Road 587

Nickel Plate Road 587 is a steam locomotive built in 1918 by Baldwin Locomotive Works to USRA Light Mikado specifications. It has eight driving wheels and mechanical components designed to pull heavy freight trains across long distances.

This locomotive entered service in 1924 and operated freight routes between Indianapolis and Michigan City until 1955. When it was retired, it went to Broad Ripple Park in Indianapolis where it remained on public display.

This locomotive served as a centerpiece in the museum's teaching efforts, helping visitors understand how railroad technology evolved over the decades. Today it helps tell the story of steam power's role in connecting Indiana communities.

The locomotive underwent major restoration work from 1983 to 1988 and later operated on excursion runs and test trips. It is now stored in Kentucky, so checking its current location and accessibility before visiting is recommended.

In 2018, a court order required the museum to vacate its Indianapolis location, and the locomotive was moved to the Kentucky Rail Heritage Center for storage and future restoration work. This relocation marked a significant turning point in how the machine would be preserved and maintained.