By Railfan & Railroad Staff

NASHVILLE — The non-profit group restoring Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway 4-8-4 576 has raised more than $200,000 in the last few months and said a test fire could come as soon as 2023. 

Nashville Steam has been restoring NC&StL 576 at the Tennessee Central since 2019. The locomotive was one of 20 J3 4-8-4s built by Alco for the NC&StL in 1942 and 1943. Earlier this year, the group kicked off a fundraising campaign with the Candelaria Fund and the Wick Moorman Charitable Foundation where all donations over $250 were matched over a four-month period. That enabled them to spend $26,000 on new tubes and flues for the locomotive among other things.

“This grassroots effort to bring back an iconic piece of our history has been made possible by our donors, members, and friends across the country and here at home,” said Shane Meador, president of Nashville Steam. “Thanks to all of our generous supporters, we are closing in on our remaining total restoration funding needed to complete the project as the overhaul cruses beyond the halfway point. We could not be more grateful for the sustained and generous levels of support that we have graciously received.”

In August, Nashville Steam celebrated the 80th anniversary of the locomotive’s construction by Alco in 1942 and all donations of $80 or more were matched during a campaign dubbed “80 for 80.” Individual donations ranged from $80 to $20,000, totaling more than $50,000. 

Funds raised will be directed towards the installation of firebox stay bolts and rivets, the removal and rebuilding of the tender trucks, and the reinstallation of the locomotive’s recently rebuilt driving wheels and running gear. Absent additional and unforeseen mechanical needs, completion of the boiler and firebox will also set the stage for a test fire in the Fall of 2023. The current cost to complete the overhaul is estimated to be approximately $350,000.

For more information, visit the group’s website.