NASHVILLE, TN – As the restoration of Music City’s own historic steam locomotive rounds its last mile, the Nashville Steam Preservation Society has announced an end-of-year fundraiser goal of $20,000 for the rebuild of the locomotive’s tender. On November 28th, The Candelaria Fund will match up to $10,000 for every donation received for Giving Tuesday. Should the $10,000 goal be reached, additional matching funds will become available.
Contributions can be made online at https://www.nashvillesteam.org/donate/ or by using the form below.
“As steam locomotive No. 576 is reassembled, some of our focus has now turned to complete repair work to the tender, which carries 15,000 gallons of water and 16 tons of coal, providing the fuel necessary to make steam,” explained Joey Bryan, Communications Manager for Nashville Steam. “The mechanical repair work on the tender is estimated to cost over $50,000, and will eventually include sandblasting, new hardware, and all-new wheelsets. We sincerely appreciate the ongoing support of the Rich Tower and the Candelaria Fund for helping jump-start this project.”
Earlier this year, Nashville Steam crossed a significant milestone in the restoration of 576 as the boiler, frame, and driving wheels were reunited after the completion of significant repairs. The tender is the last major capital expense anticipated during the reassembly and restoration phase of the project.
“The tender is as functional as it is symbolic,” stated Bryan. “It carries the name and herald of the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway, and will carry the legacy of our regional railroad history right along with it.”
The tender restoration project budget is as follows:
- $30,000 – 35,000 for new wheelsets
- $4,000.00 for new pedestal liners
- $4,000.00 for machine work on the tender wheel-bearing boxes
- $700.00 for tender truck hardware
- $1,000.00 for protective paint covering for the coal bunker
- $4,000.00 for primer/sealer
- $1,000.00 for sandblasting equipment
- $5,000.00 for sandblasting leaf springs, pins, and bushing work
