My brother took these pictures about 2 weeks ago and promises to send more as progress on the new shelter continues. Ramps/stairs and old fence removed and new temporary fencing in place.


SJHussar@aol.com

SJHussar@aol.com

I guess this little guy was pretty let down when he realized there would be no climbing that day...

Thanks, Frank!




SJHussar@aol.com

Sadly, most shelters will forever preclude any hope for restoration and operation.

> Sadly, most shelters will forever preclude
> any hope for restoration and operation.

Various groups have been trying to get this engine restored and operating for 30 plus years. The latest group has a good shot, but it is going to take more money than anyone has at the moment.

It is a handsome engine, and it's in sad shape, and deserves better. A cover is one thing. It needs at least a cosmetic restoration and stabilization as well. I'd still rather see it run though.

da@comcast.net

> I guess this little guy was pretty let down
> when he realized there would be no climbing
> that day...

> Thanks, Frank!

Thanks for the pics. Do you have any history on this engine? Thanks,

Dave

LL675@aol.com

> Sadly, most shelters will forever preclude
> any hope for restoration and operation.

Not being sheltered for 50 years can do that, too!

As to operations, has everyone forgotten that the Family Lines made a proposal to the City back in the 1970's to restore and operate this engine, adding it to their fleet of CRR 1 and the F units?

Until that time, no one in Nashville gave a hoot abou the locomotive. As soon as the news broke, a great hew and cry swept the city over the railroad "stealing" THEIR engine and taking it away to operate. How DARE they? When it was all over with, accompanied by the usual promises from the local do-gooders to take better care of the locomotive, FL walked away. You can see how much care the engine got.

> Thanks for the pics. Do you have any history
> on this engine? Thanks,

> Dave

576 is a class J-3 built by Alco august 1942, builders # 69786.
Designed by C.M. Darden, the line's CMO. It has aone piece cast frame and is roller bearing equipped. Of note is the fact the lead driving axle is equipped with a lateral motion device. The NC's track profile was extremely curvy and this device was a necessity. It was shipped completely streamlined, but during the WW2 traffic rush the streamlining was cut back to allow for ease of service.

On other railroads a 4-8-4 was a Northern. But the NC&StL went "To and From Dixieland" so the 4-8-4's there were called "Dixies" The crews called them "Stripes" or "Yellow Jackets" for their paint schemes.

All J3's were withdrawn from service by September 2 1952, and year or so later 576 was donated to the city and placed in the park.

da@comcast.net

Although I am from New yoek, I have family in Nashville and she was the first large steam loco that I ever visited and climbed over.

Glad to hear that she is getting the shelter she needs and deserves.

By the way, also in Centennial Park is a full size replica of the Pathnenon from Athens, Greece.
Quite a sight!

Ted Miles

ted_miles@nps.gov

Why don't they do the easy thing, just move the 576 into the Parthenon and let Athena guard over it. After all it was her inspiration that lead to it's creation, as the goddess of science and wisdom.

After all the first `steam engine' was created, by Heron of Greece, it was called the Aeolipile (wind ball).

Just kidding about moving it into the Parthanon, but glad to hear that it is finally getting some preservation attention.

Rich

__________________-

> Glad to hear that she is getting the shelter
> she needs and deserves.

> By the way, also in Centennial Park is a
> full size replica of the Pathnenon from
> Athens, Greece.
> Quite a sight!

> Ted Miles


rcizik5519@earthlink.net

> Why don't they do the easy thing, just move
> the 576 into the Parthenon and let Athena
> guard over it. After all it was her
> inspiration that lead to it's creation, as
> the goddess of science and wisdom.

> After all the first `steam engine' was
> created, by Heron of Greece, it was called
> the Aeolipile (wind ball).
Something was said earlier in this thread about 576 having been fully streamlined at one time. IIRC, none of the J-3's was ever fully shrouded, as in the manner of an N&W J. These locos were usually described as "semi-streamlined" or "streamstyled." The earlier "Yellow Jackets" had a running board skirt which was eliminated when the "Stripes" such as 576 were built. A couple of the engines got conventional smokebox fronts at some point, while others got the unfortunate "cone nose" on the 576, replacing the rounded, but not "bullet nose" originals.
> Just kidding about moving it into the
> Parthanon, but glad to hear that it is
> finally getting some preservation attention.

> Rich

> __________________-


justighe@bright.net

For later moves, it shouldn't be too hard to design a locomotive shelter that the engine could be easily be rolled out of, but those with a possible interest in doing so later should take an active part in designing the shelter, lest an unknowing architect design something contrary. Also, the shelter should be somewhat attractive and usable for another purpose (picnics, etc.) when and if the engine is removed.

Considering that so many engines today need shelter, the design of such structures would be worthy of discussion here. The usual roof-with- side posts restricts photography and viewing, but can be made attractive. An open-sided cantilever design allows good viewing on one side, but isn't very attractive as a structure. Any suggestions? How about some photos of existing locomotive shelters for comparison?

Of course the best shelter for a locomotive is a roundhouse, preferably one that the engine once worked out of, but we don't seem to be doing very well at saving those.


last NC&St.L roundhouse
ryarger@rypn.org

Some photos here. Also, I've heard the roundhouse at Radnor Yard, Nashville may still be in use. Anyone know?

http://www.ncps-576.org/cities/bruceton/brucetonrh.htm
ryarger@rypn.org

> Some photos here. Also, I've heard the
> roundhouse at Radnor Yard, Nashville may
> still be in use. Anyone know?

Even if it isn't it's difficult to access, and if the engine was ever restored CSX is less than steam friendly.

The new shelter is supposed to resemble the train shed at Union Station, before it was torn down. Work has halted on it though, and the city government is is a budget crunch to the point that they are talking of putting teachers, police, and firemen on furlough.

Of course, if there was money to restore the engine, it could be moved out of the park and be bringing in tourists to help with the situation.There is a viable restoration plan out there, including a class 2 willing to host the engine and a complete train for it to pull, but money is always the sticking point.

da@comcast.net