Check out our brand new video promoting our restoration of No. 576!
NASHVILLE, TENN. The not-for-profit Nashville Steam Preservation Society (NSPS) welcomed over 500 people to Centennial Park for its first ever Open House and is fast approaching an important fundraising milestone for the restoration of steam locomotive No. 576.
Despite the weather, a constant stream of visitors toured No. 576’s display site and purchased gift store items and participated in the silent auction during the October 14th event. Among the visitors were numerous families whose relatives worked for the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway and on the 576 during its original career on the railroad.
“We believe it is important to keep the memories alive, share the personal stories, embrace the excitement and help to show others that this locomotive is so much more than just a monument,” said Shane Meador, President of Nashville Steam Preservation Society.
Amid the generous support of individuals and corporations in monetary and in-kind donations, Nashville Steam is also proud to announce it is approximately half way to its initial capital goal of $500,000 to relocate No. 576 and begin the restoration process.
“Our hope is to reach our goal by the first of the year through donations, employer matches, grants and sponsorships,” stated Meador.
Following the Open House, Historic Nashville, Inc. officially endorsed the Nashville Steam Preservation Society and its efforts. An additional announcement will be forthcoming.
Progress continues to be made on relocating No. 576 from Centennial Park. Upcoming work includes:
• finishing tender roller bearing inspections
• additional boiler and firebox surveys,
• taking samples and changing the oil on all bearings on the locomotive and tender
• restoring the brake system
Nashville Steam will be conducting regularly scheduled Friday and Saturday work sessions throughout the fall.
Enjoy this brief look at our Open House celebration last Friday and stay tuned for an update later this week!
The Nashville Steam Preservation Society is hosting a FREE Open House in Nashville’s Centennial Park on October 14 from 4:00 to 10:00 pm. Come on down to the locomotive, just west of the Parthenon on 27th Ave. N., for tours of the train, evening photo sessions, a silent auction, live music from The Famer & Adele, food trucks and more. All proceeds and donations will go towards the restoration of Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Rwy. No. 576 to operate excursions out of downtown Nashville.
The event in brief:
DATE: Friday, October 14
TIME: 4:00-10:00 PM
LOCATION: At the locomotive, just west of the Parthenon on 27th Ave. N. in Centennial Park
ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE:
• Live musical performances from Nashville’s own: The Farmer & Adele from 5:00-6:00
• Locomotive tours from 4:00-7:30
• Evening photo session from 8:00-9:30
• Silent auction from 4:00 – 7:00
• Food trucks from 5:00 – 8:00
• Gift shop and tent open the entire time
• And more!
We look forward to meeting y’all soon!
The Nashville Steam Preservation Society announced recently that it will be hosting an open house at Nashville’s Centennial Park from 16:00-22:00 CT on October 14 in collaboration with Metro Nashville Parks. The group is excited to offer the chance for visitors from near and far to meet the Team, inspect the locomotive, tour the cab, and even participate in a night photo session.
Already, NSPS and its volunteers have been hard at work preparing the locomotive for the get together. Work has included removing the bell and whistle for cleaning and restoration, vacuuming two-and-a-half 55 gallon drum loads worth of sand from the sand dome, hot water pressure washing the locomotive, and more. The goal is to have the locomotive cleaned up and looking similar to its appearance when placed into the park in 1953.
More information and details concerning the NSPS Open House will be released here and on the NSPS Facebook Page approximately one month before the event. We hope to see you all there!
The long and the short of it:
- WHO: Nashville Steam Preservation Society… and you!
- WHAT: Open house to meet the NSPS Team, tour the locomotive, and participate in a night photo session
- WHERE: Nashville’s Centennial Park beside No. 576
- WHEN: Friday, October 14, 2016 | 4:00 – 10:00 PM
- PRICE: Free!
We are thrilled to announce that our ordinance to lease No. 576 from Metro Nashville has passed the second reading!! Thank you to everyone who came out tonight to show support for this historic endeavor. From Trains Magazine Newswire:
The full Council accepted the recommendation of the Parks, Library and Recreation Committee and approved the second reading of the bill to lease the Class J3 “Dixie” engine to the Nashville Steam Preservation Society.
The measure now goes to the Convention, Tourism, and Public Entertainment Facilities Committee, according to society President Shane Meador, who attended Tuesday evening’s council meeting.
The panel will review the proposal the afternoon of Aug. 16, before the third and final reading of the bill that evening by the council, governing agency for the City of Nashville and Davidson County.
We look forward to seeing one and all on Tuesday, August 16!
