NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Steam Preservation Society has achieved one of the most significant milestones yet in the restoration of the city’s most famous locomotive — the successful completion of the Federal Railroad Administration’s hydrostatic test of steam engine No. 576. This critical test confirmed that the 1942-built engine’s refurbished boiler is sound and safe for live steam for the first time in over 70 years.
With this achievement complete, attention has turned to preparing the locomotive for its first steam test — but not without new challenges. Upon removal and inspection, unexpected repairs were discovered in the locomotive’s superheater units, which convert water into the high-temperature steam that powers the engine. Several of these elements now require replacement through a custom mill run of new material — a specialized process estimated to cost approximately $45,000.
To help meet this need and keep the project on schedule, Nashville Steam has launched an end-of-year Matching Campaign to raise funds toward the fabrication and installation of these critical components. All donations will be doubled up to $25,000, thanks to the generosity of a supporting foundation.
“This is part of the reality of restoring a seventy-year-old locomotive,” said Shane Meador, Nashville Steam’s President. “You can plan as carefully as possible, but sometimes the artifact has other plans. These superheater elements are vital to the engine’s performance and efficiency, and replacing them will ensure No. 576 operates efficiently for decades to come.”
The hydrostatic test, conducted earlier this season, involved filling the boiler with water and pressurizing it with air to 25 percent above the Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP). Passing this demanding test verified the boiler’s strength and integrity, marking a major leap forward toward full operation.
Since that success, volunteers and contractors have continued advancing multiple systems, including:
– Completing and testing the lubrication system
– Rebuilding the throttle valves and fabricating a new ashpan
– Advancing installation of major steam, water, and air piping
– Completing machining work on the tender’s rebuilt trucks
Once the superheater replacements are installed, the restoration team will begin final assembly, calibration, and the highly anticipated first steam test — the moment when No. 576 will breathe under its own power for the first time since 1952.
“Every wrench turn, every late night in the shop, and every donation brings us closer to hearing No. 576 whistle once more across Nashville,” Meador said. “It’s more than a restoration — it’s the rebirth of a landmark.”
Tax-deductible contributions toward the Superheater Fund can be made securely online at nashvillesteam.org/donate. Supporters can follow restoration updates through the organization’s Facebook page and email newsletter.
For volunteer opportunities, visit nashvillesteam.org/volunteer.
ABOUT NASHVILLE STEAM
The Nashville Steam Preservation Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and operation of steam locomotive No. 576 — a 1942 J3-class engine built by the American Locomotive Company for the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway. Through educational programs, excursions, and public events, Nashville Steam works to inspire future generations to experience the golden age of railroading firsthand.
