On June 7, we met with the Metro Park Board for the second time to discuss our proposed plan of leasing Nashville, Chattanooga, & St. Louis Railway No. 576 from Metro Nashville. We are pleased to announce their favorable ruling for the Nashville Steam Preservation Society, Inc. to lease, restore, and operate steam locomotive No. 576. This was a huge milestone in the history of the locomotive so that future generations can know and experience this wonderful artifact as it was originally intended, under steam. Our next step in the process is presenting our proposal to the Metro Council for final approval.
We will keep all posted as to when we will begin our meetings with them. The likely restoration of locomotive No. 576 will be the most unique restoration project in the United States in modern times. Why, you ask? One reason is that the locomotive has been on display in Nashville’s Centennial Park since September 1953 and has not operated since September 2, 1952 when the NC&StL last called upon its service. This will be the longest period of time that a steam locomotive has been on display and returned to service, to date. Not to mention it’s the only surviving mainline steam locomotive from the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway and largest steam locomotive that calls Tennessee home!
Stay tuned for more information, and be sure to give our Facebook page a like.
