There are a plethora of classic train songs in the country, bluegrass and folk music catalogs. Some high profile music artists like Dolly Parton, Keith Urban and Brad Pailey call Nashville home. If we can inspire some of them to do an all train song concert here in Music City to benefit this project, we could raise the funds for a quicker restoration. I was told today by one of the mechanical volunteers that the results of a preliminary ultrasound of the boiler showed excellent thickness, and when the cylinder valves were pulled, they were coated with viable lubrication. This engine was well preserved, and with a thorough overhaul and replacement of components as needed will steam again!
Tinplate Art posted:Perhaps, it is a matter of local pride as the NC&StL was a predessor road of the L&N, and now the CSX.
Though this may appear as nit picking considering the topic, but NC&StL and L&N were more correctly competitors. Sure NC&StL was first in Nashville (1848-50), but L&N, which started in 1850 (Louisville) had completed track to Nashville by 1859, about the same time NC&StL finished track to Chattanooga.
And yes, I can see Nashville enthusiasts take pride in the NC&StL. I firmly support the enthusiasm for the restoration of #576. Art, thanks for the updates!
(BTW, L&N and NC&StL are the only two railroads that I model in O-Gauge [year:1954])
By way of full disclosure: My obvious passion for the 576 project goes back decades, and I was directly involved in two previous efforts to restore the 576. Back in the early 1980's, Bill Purdue, then Master Mechanic, Steam for the Southern Railway, inquired about the possibility of bringing the 576 to the Birmingham Steam Shop in Irondale to be restored as part of the Southern Steam Program. Mr. Purdie and his team even came to Nashville for a cursory inspection of the engine. Some influential Nashvillians, who ironically were also train fans, vigorously opposed the move akin to "stealing our locomotive", and sadly nothing was done. The second attempt involved a wealthy Belle Meade friend who wanted to get a group of his investor friends to back the restoration. The timing could not have been worse, as the horrificly devastating Haitian earthquake occurred halfway into the effort, and all our potential investor funds understandably were diverted to charitable donations towards disaster relief. So, in light of our past frustrating efforts, our present success is very heartening and also personal!
TM TERRY: The older local Nashvillians always considered the NC&StL the rightful "hometown" railroad, while the L&N was the usurper road, who aligned themselves with "Yankee" financial interests! The NC&StL was the original "Dixie Line", a slogan later appropriated by the L&N. Of course, the L&N had a majority stock interest in the NC&StL going back to the 1870's, but they allowed it to operate under a degree of autonomy. I once arranged for the widow of the last president of the NC&StL, Mrs. Hackworth, to ride on TVRM's private car, the 98, on a steam powered (4501) round trip from Union Station to Columbia, TN during Nashville's Bicentennial Celebration in 1980. Col. Phil Hooper, then regional vice president of the Seaboard System, was also onboard.
Here she sits this morning on NWRR rails close to the CSX interchange. THANK YOU, Mammoet for a job well done! ☺
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The 576 now requires partial running gear removal and brake rigging work/testing before she can be moved over the CSX main to the NERR beltline. At this time, it has not been confirmed if the tender will be connected to the engine prior to the move.
It's a great looking loco and looking forward to seeing it's progress. I remember seeing it when I lived in Nashville circa 93-99. A that time though was my late teen and early 20 years so I had less interest in trains. I don't remember it looking as good, assume the cosmetic enhancement came afterwords. One of my best friends at the time worked near there at West End Amoco (long gone) next to Vanderbilt Stadium. I spent a lot of time in that general area.
A special shout-out to Terry Bebout, the president of the Tennessee Central Railway Museum, without whose assistance in this project, we would not have had a place to restore the 576. Furthermore, his long-time association with the Nashville and Eastern Railroad, and his impeccable excursion safety record over a more than twenty-five year period, has forged a productive relationship with that fine railroad (the former Tennessee Central). The NERR has recently been acquired by R. J. Corman, and they have tentatively agreed to continue excursion service, including eventual steam operation. We are very grateful to Terry, the TCRM, and the NERR for their continued assistance in the 576 project!
The original nose configuration of the as-delivered 576 and her sisters was conical, thus enhancing its semi-streamlined design. This was a very heavy one-piece steel casting and it was not hinged, consequently requiring its removal for servicing the smokebox! Due to this difficulty, the railroad shop folks eventually decided to modify a number of these engines with a conventional, hinged smokebox front for ease of access, but retained a partial conical design. In my opinion, and others that I have spoken with, many would prefer the full conical nose. Perhaps a lightweight alloy could be used or some sheet metal fabrication to at least make it lighter to remove for maintenance? Another alternative would be to somehow hinge the cone in a manner that did not intrude on the design. It is far too early for such a design change to be decided upon, but it is something to ponder!
Hot Water posted:steam fan posted:Hot Water posted:TrainMan1225 posted:Hot Water posted:Yes, I meant #576, and NOT 587. I made a typo, however this whole thread is indeed about #576 anyway.
You're the first one to correct someone when they are wrong or make a "typo".... thought you might like a dose of your own medicine. How's it taste??
Well, for what it's worth smart guy, I try to correct/educate technical errors, and NOT simple spelling or typo errors! EXCUUUUUUUSE ME!
Your "education" is often not asked for.
Now back to the topic, I would potentially be interested in a nice Legacy equipped 576. The crew NSPS has gathered is much more capable than some of the other groups "restoring" steam engines. I imagine money is the only thing standing in the way of a speedy restoration. If you're on the fence about donating, I personally believe this is a solid group.
WILL: Shane Meador and his team of both fellow experts and volunteers are indeed a very capable and talented group! Financing such steam restoration efforts is always a concern, but Nashville is a very special community, and there is no doubt the money will be raised!
Tinplate Art posted:WILL: Shane Meador and his team of both fellow experts and volunteers are indeed a very capable and talented group! Financing such steam restoration efforts is always a concern, but Nashville is a very special community, and there is no doubt the money will be raised!
I have personally worked with Shane and he is a great guy and immensely knowledgeable.
