NC&StL 4-8-4 #576 to Be Moved Here in Nashville!

Great news!

Looking forward to seeing the restoration and operation of this iconic locomotive 

Al

The most complete article about these legendary performers was written by David P. Morgan in the December, 1963 issue of TRAINS. One interesting construction feature is the inclusion of a one piece Commonwealth bed frame with integral cylinders. They also had roller bearings on all axles, including the tender. These engines were equipped with lateral motion drive boxes on two sets of drivers. They were buit by ALCO, but were designed here in Nashville by the NC&StL's own Clarence M. Darden, Superintendent of Machinery.

Wonder what year that loco will be hauling tourist cars?  Hope to ride behind it.. 

Additional funding is needed, but Nashville is well known for its generous charitable support of a variety of projects, so we are hopeful. We are also fortunate to have a number of music celebrities that reside and work here. There are a large number of experienced volunteers and a few expert steam folks to guide them. To sum up, it will probably be several years before she steams again.

It looks like the locomotive has been be well taken care of. If I am thinking of the right rail road. Did they have the nick name yellow jackets?

You are correct: The 570 series, including the 576, were nicknamed "Yellow Jackets", due to the full-length running board skirting painted with a yellow stripe as delivered during the early forties.

Tinplate Art posted:

You are correct: The 570 series, including the 576, were nicknamed "Yellow Jackets", due to the full-length running board skirting painted with a yellow stripe as delivered during the early forties.

Rusty

Compare it to Santa Fe 2926... it's taken that group 18 years to have a fire in her belly... hopefully it will take this group less than that. 

steam fan posted:

Compare it to Santa Fe 2926... it's taken that group 18 years to have a fire in her belly... hopefully it will take this group less than that. 

If the 576 group can raise lots of funds, faster than the 2926 group, and hire professional, experienced steam contractors, then the locomotive should be completely overhauled & FRA certified much sooner than the 2926 took.

Three things required in restoring any steam loco: $$$$$$$ (and lots of it!), expertise (including shop, machines & tools), and time (many months!). Here in Nashville, we have met, and are continuing to meet those needs under the capable leadership of the Nashville Steam group.

Also, country music, along with some folk music, is replete with train songs, many sung by major artists like Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, Jimmy Rogers, Merle Hagged, Hank Snow, and many others. Though train songs have traditionally been sung by men, it should be noted that Dolly Parton owns two historic coal-fired narrow gauge steam engines that are maintained and run on a regular basis at her Dollywood amusement park near Sevierville, TN. The fact that she has not converted these to oil firing indicates she has an interest in historical accuracy, and is likely a fan of steam engines. I believe she could well do justice to a train song, and she resides just south of Nashville! Over the years, these songs are part of the history and heritage of country music, so perhaps we could someday entice some resident Nashville celebrities to perform some of the train classics in a benefit concert to raise money for the 576 restoration. Nashville is a giving community, and many charities are successful here!

I do not know why but I like that funky head light set up. How would you be like waiting at the rail road crossing and see not a little 2-8-0 but 2 of these pulling a very long freight train at a pretty good clip. In my home town the SAL had some 2-6-6-4 that ran through my home town of monroe to charlotte n.c. My grand parents got to see these steam locomotives. And when they would tell me stories about what they saw I must say, I would get somewhat jealous.

I not sure but I think santa fe are bigger. They did not have to deal with weight restrictions like here in the south due to a lot of bridges made of wood. The other thing is about how much rust and a few other things.

seaboardm2 posted:

steam fan posted:

Compare it to Santa Fe 2926... it's taken that group 18 years to have a fire in her belly... hopefully it will take this group less than that. 

I not sure but I think santa fe are bigger.They did not have to deal with weight restrictions like here in the south.Due to a lot of bridges made of wood.The other thing is about how much rust and a few other things.

Ps I have the railking santa fe northern great puller.

Tinplate Art posted:

Also, country music, along with some folk music, is replete with train songs, many sung by major artists like Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, Jimmy Rogers, Merle Hagged, Hank Snow, and many others. Though train songs have traditionally been sung by men, it should be noted that Dolly Parton owns two historic coal-fired narrow gauge steam engines that are maintained and run on a regular basis at her Dollywood amusement park near Sevierville, TN. The fact that she has not converted these to oil firing indicates she has an interest in historical accuracy, and is likely a fan of steam engines. I believe she could well do justice to a train song, and she resides just south of Nashville! Over the years, these songs are part of the history and heritage of country music, so perhaps we could someday entice some resident Nashville celebrities to perform some of the train classics in a benefit concert to raise money for the 576 restoration. Nashville is a giving community, and many charities are successful here!

One of the locomotives at dolly wood.Its sisterlocomotive  is next door the tweetsie rail road.

There are two coal-fired engines at Dollywood in addition to the #12 at the Tweetsie Railroad. All are 3 foot gauge.

We have been trying for many years to get this engine restored, and I was active in two previous efforts, including one which involved the late Bill Purdie of the Southern Steam Program fame. That effort was blocked by a couple of influencial guys that should have been supportive: one a longtime TCA member and major collector, and the  other a builder of some very nice 7 1/2" gauge live steam locos. They falsely claimed Chattanooga was trying to "steal" the engine. The second attempt failed due to a withdrawl of financial support due to the devastating Haitian earthquake, which understandably, diverted potential donations from several very prominent affuent citizens, one of which initially contacted me to lead the effort. The third, and successful, bid was organized by a very savvy and steam-experienced NS employee, who was involved in the rebuilding of the 4501 and 611, and who has actually run both. The last steam excursion in Nashville occurred during Nashville's Bicentennial Celebration in 1981, and I was one of the organizers, in concert with TVRM, and the loco was 4501. I was also involved with the early stages of this latest effort to remove the 576 from Centennial Park for eventual restoration at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum near downtown Nashville. We hope many railfans across the country will consider helping to support this project. For more information, go to nashvillesteam.org

I should point out that the 576, though nowhere near as impressive as the forthcoming UP Big Boy, is one of the lightest and slimmer engines of its class ever built, and will virtually meet most tunnel and bridge clearances, and could potentially pull excursions beyond the Nashville and Eastern. It should be noted the NC&StL was one of the predecessor roads of the mighty CSX. Traditionally, CSX management has adamantly been opposed to any steam excursions. Our 1981 Bicentennial trip with 4501 occurred under the Seaboard System Family Lines auspices, and we were fortunate to have a very supportive and affable regional vice president, the late Colonel Phillip Hooper, in our corner. Anything is possible, so never say never!  ☺

Who would have thought we would ever see a Big Boy run in our lifetime? Yes, UP's support of steam has long been a part of their brand, just as CSX's aversion to ANY steam, or in their words, "antique equipment", is well known to us railfans! But as management changes (and it will!), and however unlikey things may seem, changes can occur!

Just found out last evening that the original NC&StL 110 foot turntable from the Tilford Yard in Atlanta, GA will be moved to TN for installation on the N&E by Mammoet. This includes the bridge, motor, control system, booth, and pit rails. There were only four of these on the NC&StL, the other three being located at Bruceton, TN, Chattanooga, TN, and Nashville, TN.

Also the 576 drivers will be turned on the Niles lathe at TVRM and will be quartered at the same facility. 

Tinplate Art posted:

Also the 576 drivers will be turned on the Niles lathe at TVRM and will be quartered at the same facility. 

What is your plan for removal of all the drivers? Also, is there sufficient thickness of the tires to warrant a turning?

HOT WATER: Yes, according to Shane Meador, the project manager. The wheels will be removed after the engine has been towed to the Tennessee Central Railway Museum, and then transported by truck to Chattanooga. Shane will supervise the removal and will operate the Niles machines. He helped restore 4501 and 611. I do not know the removal process, but it should be done in a safe and efficient manner.THANK YOU for your interest in our restoration!

Hot Water posted:

Tinplate Art posted:

Also the 576 drivers will be turned on the Niles lathe at TVRM and will be quartered at the same facility. 

What is your plan for removal of all the drivers? Also, is there sufficient thickness of the tires to warrant a turning?

If they turned the wheels, I am supposing to true them or assure they are true, might that change the required inside diameter of the OEM tire to be too large for proper fitment on the turned wheel? Would that require a custom tire design? (Not that I would suppose there are still OEM tires in anyone's inventory)

Sorry if my question is not relative to the NC&StL #576.

Tinplate Art posted:

HOT WATER: Yes, according to Shane Meador, the project manager. The wheels will be removed after the engine has been towed to the Tennessee Central Railway Museum, and then transported by truck to Chattanooga.

OK but, HOW will the drivers be removed, i.e. with a large in-floor drop table, or jack up the engine and roll them out? Also, do the tires REALLY require turning, or will the tread profile just be "trued"?

Shane will supervise the removal and will operate the Niles machines. He helped restore 4501 and 611. I do not know the removal process, but it should be done in a safe and efficient manner.THANK YOU for your interest in our restoration!

TM Terry posted:

Hot Water posted:

Tinplate Art posted:

Also the 576 drivers will be turned on the Niles lathe at TVRM and will be quartered at the same facility. 

What is your plan for removal of all the drivers? Also, is there sufficient thickness of the tires to warrant a turning?

If they turned the wheels, I am supposing to true them or assure they are true, might that change the required inside diameter of the OEM tire to be too large for proper fitment on the turned wheel? Would that require a custom tire design? (Not that I would suppose there are still OEM tires in anyone's inventory)

Sorry if my question is not relative to the NC&StL #576.

It is possible that Tinplate Art has confused the term "drivers will turned on the Niles lathe" with trueing the tires, and NOT removal of the tires in order to turn the actual wheel centers.

HOT WATER: Although I have actually had many hours of shop time at TVRM in Chattanooga, I was never present when any wheel sets were removed and either trued ir turned. I believe Shane did use the term "turned" when we spoke last evening. He is very familiar with those machines and the processes involved. SORRY, I could not answer your queries! I do believe we are in good hands to get these things done! 

I have a limited knowledge of theTCRM facility, but I know they do not have a drop table, so the jacking up process of removal may very well be the method. 

I also know there is a desire to have a separate facility to possibly service and and store the 576, funding pending.