Rebuilding an old steam locomotive is not for the inexperienced, but the team Nashville Steam Preservation Society has assembled includes some of the best steam mechanics in the U.S – many of whom have been involved in the successful restoration of more than 30 steam locomotives.

The following list outlines the distinct phases of this project.

PHASE 1 – SECURE LEASE WITH METRO NASHVILLE

  • Secure an agreement to relocate and rebuild Locomotive 576
  • Initiate an aggressive fundraising campaign (to continue through completion of Phase 3 Capital Goals)
  • Secure $500,000 through fundraising campaign to underwrite relocation, asbestos abatement, and thorough evaluation

PHASE 2 – RELOCATE / ABATE / INSPECT

  • Relocate #576 to Tennessee Central Railway Museum
  • Abate asbestos and prepare locomotive for detailed inspection
  • Inspect and thoroughly evaluate Locomotive 576

PHASE 3 – CONTINUED FUNDRAISING

  • Continue the rigorous fundraising campaign initiated in Phase 1
  • Locomotive Rebuild Cost:$2,500,000 (Can begin work on the rebuild with as little as $250,000, fundraising to continue throughout)

PHASE 4 – REBUILD LOCOMOTIVE 576

  • Rebuild begins in earnest at TCRM
  • Rebuild completed

PHASE 5 – INSPIRE / EDUCATE / OPERATE

  • Excursions begin (Operate the locomotive approximately 30 days/year)

PHASE 6 – BUILD INTERACTIVE FACILITY

  • Fundraising for interactive shop facility
  • $1,250,000 – Cost to build shop faciltiy as a safe, family-friendly public viewing area
  • $250,000 – Acquire and install tooling for maintenance and care of locomotive No. 576

VIDEO UPDATES

Watch our preliminary inspections of No. 576.