The Nickel Plate was considered a "bridge line" - a railroad lacking on-line industry that carried shipments between connecting railroads as economically and quickly as possible. As a result, faster, more efficient means to accomplish its mission were the norm. This meant better track, dedicated employees, less time spent in freight yards by through trains, and faster, more powerful locomotives. By 1940, the 587 and her sisters had been supplanted by a growing fleet of "super power" locomotives with a 2-8-4 (Berkshire) wheel arrangement. While the 700s (700-714) were more powerful, efficient, and faster, they also were heavier. The bridges between Cleveland and Buffalo had to be strengthened before the 700s could operate over that NKP line. By mid-1944 this project had been completed, enabling the speedy Berkshires to pull the NKP's manifests between Chicago, Cleveland, and Buffalo, as well as between E. St. Louis, Il and Buffalo, NY. By year's end, the NKP rostered 70 2-8-4s.

NKP 587 was transferred again, this time to Frankfort, Indiana. This town was - and is - a division point on the Nickel Plate for the former LE&W and the former "Cloverleaf" (Toledo, St. Louis & Western). Frankfort was a junction point for these lines, the Monon, the Pennsylvania Railroad, a manufacturing center, and an agricultural products center. Earlier, the Cloverleaf had erected a fully-equipped locomotive and rail car repair shop and engine servicing facility. The NKP had inherited a large flat switched freight car classification yard from the Cloverleaf. From this terminal the 587 carried on, hauling round-trip local freights and manifests to Charleston, Il, Peoria, Il, Delphos, Oh, and Lima, Oh. This Mikado's (an engine with 2-8-2 wheel arrangement) appearance and abilities made it a favorite of enginemen, mechanics, and management alike. It was reliable, fast, and easy on the track and the neighborhood.

Occasionally 587 was assigned to pull special passenger trains. It was the NKP's sentimental favorite when assigned to pull the Richard Nixon campaign special from Lafayette, IN to Kokomo on October 14, 1952. Road Forman of Engines W.G. Yettman, who had been an Alf Landon supporter, was engineer on the 587 that day. Following its one day of fame, the 587 was dispatched less frequently. The NKP began replacing its aging fleet of steamers with cleaner, more efficient diesel road switcher ("geep") locomotives. By 1955, old 587 had been shoved into a growing line of retired steam locomotives. Had 587 turned its last wheel?