|
|
Post by calzephyr on Apr 27, 2016 11:52:37 GMT -8
This is a nice medium sized 4-8-4 that would be very popular if the restoration takes place.
We visited the site and looked at the engine many years ago in the park. It would be nice if the restoration happens.
Larry
Steam locomotive No. 576 sits motionless at Centennial Park, covered in bird droppings and stuffed with nests.
One of the last steam engines built in the country, its purpose was to haul troops and oil during World War II.
And if a group of locomotive preservationists are successful, it may once again take passengers on a ride.
"If you see a train go by nowadays, it basically is a rumbling box with wheels. Whereas these, it’s almost as if they live and breathe," said Shane Meador, president of the nonprofit Nashville Steam Preservation Society.
The group of about 18 locomotive restoration professionals and enthusiasts hope to restore the 74-year-old steam locomotive to working order, pending approval by Metro Parks and the Metro Council.
"The opportunity to ride a steam train out of Riverfront Park could be a much richer experience than the current static observation available in Centennial Park and is worthy of consideration," Metro Parks director Tommy Lynch said in a statement. The board meeting is May 3.
If successful, the train will be moved to the Tennessee Central Railway Museum near Rolling Hill Mill, where the group will make parts or add commissioned parts to replace corroded ones.
Once completed, the locomotive would pull the museum's 14 restored '50s-era passenger cars to carry Nashvillians on the Nashville & Eastern Railroad, used by the Music City Star. It would operate 20-30 times a year.
"For Pete’s sake, we can board right off Broadway across from the Titans Stadium," Meador said. "No other operation in the eastern United States can say they do that in a major city like this."
While similar attempts have been made to operate No. 576, Nashville Steam decided the time was fitting since, due to Centennial Park's renovations, the train would have to be moved anyway.
"It is a living piece of Nashville’s history, and if it sits here too long it will no longer be part of Nashville’s history," said Nashville Steam board member Dr. Jack Fisher, a train enthusiast.
The roughly $3 million project will take four to six years to complete. Nashville Steam has already received pledges up to $200,000.
After the restoration is complete, the organization hopes to build a facility to house and maintain the train, if it receives funding.
Contact Nashville Steam at info@nashvillesteam.org.
|
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Apr 27, 2016 20:45:57 GMT -8
We'll see what happens on the 3rd. In the past, the city has refused offers by various groups to restore the locomotive. This time MAY be different as the park has other plans for the plot of land that it currently sits. Also, this group is getting the word out; Trains already ran two online articles about the potential restoration as a previous editor was fond of the class.
For those not in the loop, NC&StL 576 is a small 4-8-4, similar in size to the NdeM Niagara's. Besides "The General" and two small n.g. construction locomotives, it is the only remaining NC steam locomotive. Despite its size, it has roller bearings on all axles and lateral motion devices on two of the drivers' axles [the NC had some fairly curvy sections of track]. Built in 1942, it saw about 10 years of service pulling both freight and passenger trains before being retired.
The plan is to operate the locomotive on a local storyline that offers a balance of track that supports a heavy rail commuter train as well as track that isn't too far removed from the steam era. I have ridden the route many times an can point out old telegraph poles, explosive sheds, etc.
James Bilbrey
LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
|
Post by calzephyr on Apr 28, 2016 4:57:10 GMT -8
We'll see what happens on the 3rd. In the past, the city has refused offers by various groups to restore the locomotive. This time MAY be different as the park has other plans for the plot of land that it currently sits. Also, this group is getting the word out; Trains already ran two online articles about the potential restoration as a previous editor was fond of the class. For those not in the loop, NC&StL 576 is a small 4-8-4, similar in size to the NdeM Niagara's. Besides "The General" and two small n.g. construction locomotives, it is the only remaining NC steam locomotive. Despite its size, it has roller bearings on all axles and lateral motion devices on two of the drivers' axles [the NC had some fairly curvy sections of track]. Built in 1942, it saw about 10 years of service pulling both freight and passenger trains before being retired. The plan is to operate the locomotive on a local storyline that offers a balance of track that supports a heavy rail commuter train as well as track that isn't too far removed from the steam era. I have ridden the route many times an can point out old telegraph poles, explosive sheds, etc. James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN Thanks for the update. I got to see the 576 in the park many years ago and was impressed with the so called yellow jacket look of the locomotive. Money is probably the biggest road block to the restoration. We hope the money can be raised and work can start on this project. Larry |
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Apr 28, 2016 9:48:48 GMT -8
You're welcome. I'll post the result of Tuesday's meeting once I hear something since there is some interest on the project here. IF the park okay this, funding can be secured, and there are no "surprises", the goal is to have it back in operation by 2020.
James Bilbrey
LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
|
Post by roadkill on Apr 28, 2016 10:33:02 GMT -8
Damn purty loco, it would be damn nice to see her back in operation.
|
|
|
|
Post by markfj on Apr 29, 2016 4:36:18 GMT -8
More information on the efforts to restore 576 can be found here: NC&STL 576 campaignFor those not familiar with the Railway Preservation site, I highly recommend you spend a little time reading through some of the posts, they’re interesting and often contain may “in-process” photos of various restoration projects. The posts from the mechanical department at Strasburg are very informative in regards to how old steam components are repaired or new ones produced. Thanks, Mark |
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on May 3, 2016 20:39:38 GMT -8
For those interested, here is the take-away from the presentation to Nashville's Parks Board. They decided to study the proposal for an additional month's time, also allowing its Acquisition Committee a chance to study the plan. A vote on the matter [whether to let the NSPS move forward with the restoration] may come as early as June. One member also noted the importance of preserving the locomotive and keeping it from further deteriorating following the meeting.
James Bilbrey
LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Jun 7, 2016 16:27:02 GMT -8
Just a quick update, the Metro Park Board has approved of the proposal for the Nashville Steam Preservation Society (NSPS) to lease NC&StL 576 for restoration and operation. This is the the furthest any group has gotten in their bids to restore the steam locomotive. Next, the issue must gain final approval from the Metro Council.
James Bilbrey
LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
|
Post by calzephyr on Jun 12, 2016 14:40:57 GMT -8
Just a quick update, the Metro Park Board has approved of the proposal for the Nashville Steam Preservation Society (NSPS) to lease NC&StL 576 for restoration and operation. This is the the furthest any group has gotten in their bids to restore the steam locomotive. Next, the issue must gain final approval from the Metro Council. James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN James Thanks for the update. That is good news for sure. Larry |
|
|
|
Post by mrsocal on Jun 12, 2016 16:21:00 GMT -8
This is great news that will keep the great and loved steam era alive... please don't get me wrong here but why is it always a 4-8-4?? There are 4 of this wheel config. out there it would be something to see say a 2-8-0 or a 2-8-2 brought back to life to represent the working loco. It's all good as I said by I'm just say'in.
|
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Jun 12, 2016 19:08:55 GMT -8
Mrsocal,
In this case, NC&StL 576 is the only standard-gauge steam-locomotive owned by the railroad that was not scrapped. Besides it, there is one or two former NC&StL tenders along with couple N.G. construction locomotives that are left; that's it. Also, the J3's were the most modern steam locomotives that the NC&StL had purchased. And, the railroad used them in both passenger and freight service.
By, I agree with you; it is the larger steam locomotives that tend get the glory - both in model form as well as among the preservation stories. But, I understand the practical limitations of smaller steam locomotives on excursions.
James Bilbrey
LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Jul 20, 2016 16:10:18 GMT -8
All,
Concerning the possible restoration of NC&StL 576, the proposal passed the first of three readings in front of the Metro Council [as the City is who owns the locomotive]. It is possible that a final decision could be made as soon as Mid-August.
Another preliminary round of inspections including the firebox, smokebox, bearings, etc. Nice, thick tires were found on the drivers. All bearings still had oil in them with no sign of water. The firebox appeared to be in good shape with an acceptable thickness of firebox sheets and no "necking" of staybolts. A fire rake was even found in the firebox. The biggest surprise was found when the team opened the smokebox [which had not been opened since 1953]. The stack had been capped from the inside, and everything appeared nearly new with a light coat of surface rust. Shop storehouse tags were found on the superheater units, and backside of the superheater unit necks are still coated in the coal-tar epoxy as applied by Elesco. It appears possible that only a steam test had been performed during its last shopping. When leaks were found, the railroad decided to retire the unit instead of continuing with the repairs.
If all goes well and the group gets permission and funds to proceed, the next step will be further inspection and abatement at its present location. The tender will be separated from the locomotive, and them hauled [overland] to a local shortline where the wheels, brake gear, etc. will be further inspected and repairs made so that CSX will accept it. It will then be hauled over to a second shortline where the full restoration will be completed and where it will be operated. During the time the locomotive is being restored, improvements will have to be made to the shortline in order for it to operate the entire length of the railroad (216 miles round-trip).
While this is going on, the Kentucky Railway Museum [KRM] is in the process of rebuilding L&N 152 (a small 4-6-2 and one of three L&N steam locomotives to survive). Meanwhile, the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation (KSHCO) has begun the process of restoring C&O 2716, a 2-8-4. Of course, SOU 630 and 4501 is under steam at the TVRM in Chattanooga. The Great Smokey Mountains Railroad will soon have its 1702 (a USATC 2-8-0 back under steam) and has announced that they have secured the funding to rebuild/restore SOU 722 (another 2-8-0). Finally, N&W 611 is also now pulling excursions.
With all of this going on, the next few years could be an exciting time for steam excursions in the Southeast.
James Bilbrey
LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
|
Post by Gary P on Jul 21, 2016 6:53:02 GMT -8
Nice! Thanks for the great write-up on the status. Appreciate it!
|
|
|
|
Post by Brakie on Jul 21, 2016 8:32:48 GMT -8
James,Thanks for the update.I hope to see you tube videos of the 576 being moved and of course under steam since that will be the only way I'll get to see this magnificent beast in action.
Now if I could only find a Alco RS-1 still in service here in Ohio..
|
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Jul 22, 2016 21:33:24 GMT -8
Gary P & Brakie, you're welcome on the updates. With TRAINS giving the project National publicity, the right people involved in the restoration, and the shifting political winds of Nashville, the restoration might actually happen. I the past, the City stubbornly refused to let it go. Now, they are tired of maintaining it. If it does come to fruition, it will hold the record of being the locomotive that sat in a park for the longest period of time before being restored to operation.
And yes, I have already warned my wife that IF this does happen then I will volunteer my time to restoring it. While I enjoyed playing around the locomotive as a little boy, I would love it if my son got see it in operation.
James Bilbrey
LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Aug 3, 2016 18:54:36 GMT -8
Not much of an update, but the proposal passed the second reading in front of the Metro Council Tuesday night - just one more to go. The final reading is scheduled for August 16th. When [and if] it passes all the readings in front of the Council, the fund-raising can begin in earnest.
If restored, it will get a workout on the Nashville & Eastern's [NERR's] track as it has spots where the grades are 2.5% and 3.03% compared to the grade over Cumberland Mountain [where the J3A's were built to operate] which is 2% - 2.5%.
James Bilbrey
LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Aug 17, 2016 15:37:05 GMT -8
Good news, The Nashville Metropolitan Council unanimously approved leasing the 4-8-4 to the Nashville Steam Preservation Society. Next up, is to raise the $500K needed so that the locomotive may be moved this autumn. $100K would also be set aside as an insurance fund - to cosmetically restore 576 in case the restoration falls though.
James Bilbrey
LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Jan 11, 2019 21:17:16 GMT -8
Okay, I am pulling this thread up from the dead...
For those in the Middle TN area but have not been keeping up with the progress on NC&StL 576, they will be moving it over to an active rail line this Sunday starting at 9:00 AM. This will be a move over public streets using trailers - one for the locomotive, a second for the tender, and a third for the tender's trucks. Once reassembled, the group estimates 2 more months of work before it is pulled by a special move over CSX tracks to the other side of town for the remainder of the rebuild. Yes, employees from CSX are aware of the progress on the locomotive and have given their blessings for this future move.
The good news is that the locomotive is apparently one of those "overhauled and then donated" steam locomotives that every group hopes to find - and that rarely proves to be the case. The group has found evidence that the railroad had done some boiler work, possibly brought it up to operating pressure, and then stored it before donating it.
The other good news is that CSX donated the turntable that used to be at CSX's Tillford Yards to a local town who plans on installing it so that there will be a place to turn the steam locomotive for return trips. The NC&StL originally installed the turntable so that it could turn the locomotives in Atlanta, so a little history will be reunited in all of this.
Meanwhile, the shortline (the Nashville & Eastern or NERR) has been sold to R.J. Corman. So far, the new owners have been receptive to the Tennessee Central Railway Museum continuing their excursions on the former-TC tracks as well as allowing the future operation of the steam locomotive over their tracks. There have been enough "chatter" about whether the NERR roster will continue to be all-GE (as most know, R.J. Corman prefers EMD products), I am not even going discuss the QJ stored in KY.
|
|
