U.S. Sugar has decided to donate an Atlantic Coast Line 4-6-2 to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. U.S. Sugar acquired ACL 1504 in 2021 with plans to expand its popular Sugar Express excursion operation. After purchasing the USRA light Pacific from the City of Jacksonville, Fla., it was moved to Chattanooga for restoration by FMW Solutions, which had previously completed the restoration of ex-Florida East Coast 4-6-2 148 for U.S. Sugar. 

In March, Sugar Express announced that rising material costs and the realization that locomotive 148 was sufficient for the operation led it to decide not to proceed with restoring 1504.

“U.S. Sugar continues to provide a world-class excursion train in America’s Sweetest Town, with Steam Locomotive No. 148 serving as the Sugar Express’ primary motive power and ambassador to us here at U.S. Sugar,” said M. Scott Ogle, Railroad Superintendent of the Sugar Express. “After considering the Sugar Express’ future, we have decided that Steam Locomotive No. 148 is sufficient for meeting the overwhelming demand of guests that ride on our one-of-a-kind, scenic excursion line that traverses hundreds of miles through the core of Florida’s pristine farming communities.” 

TVRM announced it will perform a thorough evaluation of the locomotive before making any decisions about its future. ACL 1504, built by the American Locomotive Company in 1919, is the only remaining USRA light Pacific-type steam locomotive.