I have at least a theory. This probably had more to do with KRM than NS. Remember the Kentucky Railroad Museum changed location in 1977 and again in 1990. There second location 77 to 90 was a rental deal and maybe they just weren't in any hurry to get it back considering the County that owned the land was itching to get them out (per the highly reliable Wiki). Also the terms of the lease btx KRM and NS may have required it to come back operating or returned to it's C&O look. So to save haggling and money she just sat until a new suitor could be found (FWRHS). 2716 went from River road in Louisville to Irwin, TN in in 79, then to Irondale, AL in 80, then to Fort Wayne, IN in 95 then to New Haven, KY in 2001.