Known as the “Stripe,” No. 576 is the only remaining J3 Class 4-8-4 steam locomotive built for the NC&StL Railway. The locomotive was designed in the company’s office building on Broadway in the heart of Nashville and manufactured by the American Locomotive Company in 1942. The locomotive, long associated with Nashville’s Country Music roots, has been on display in Nashville’s Centennial Park since 1953. Fans of Johnny Cash will also recognize the locomotive from his 1969 Life Magazine Cover. “This is a true milestone for the history of No. 576,” said NSPS President Shane Meador. “We would like to thank everyone who has contributed thus far to get the project to this point. Through their generous contributions, No. 576 now has another lease on life.”
As part of a 2016 lease agreement with Metro Nashville, owner of No. 576, NSPS was required to raise $500,000 prior to relocating the historic locomotive to ensure sufficient funding was in place to safely relocate the locomotive. Now that this initial goal has been met, the locomotive will be moved from Centennial Park to live railroad tracks nearby. No. 576 will then be moved to the Tennessee Central Railway Museum approximately five miles away, where the restoration is planned to take place.
NSPS has held regular work sessions in Centennial Park since 2016 to inspect the locomotive and prepare it for relocation. Several components and appliances have been completely restored off-site and are ready for service. Each work session attracts hundreds of interested spectators curious about the locomotive and the work being done. In August, Nashville Steam volunteers successfully rolled the locomotive back about five feet. “Once the locomotive’s wheels broke free from the rusty rails, it rolled smoothly just like when it was first built 75 years ago,” said Meador.
Nationwide support for the Nashville landmark
Even though No. 576 is as much a part of Nashville as country music, NSPS has received donations from well beyond Music City. “So far we have received donations from 36 states and even a few from the United Kingdom. No. 576 may be in the heart of Nashville but its appeal has no bounds,” said Bill Webster, Treasurer for NSPS. “These early donations will translate into economic dollars as these fans of Nashville’s locomotive will travel here once No. 576 is operational.” Similar steam locomotive attractions in other cities have added millions of dollars to local tourism.
Nashville Steam launched a major campaign in March 2018 in order to raise the remaining funding needed to relocate the locomotive by the end of the year. In just six months, that effort alone raised more than $245,000. Contributing organizations include the Candelaria Fund, the Tom E. Dailey Foundation, Metro Parks Foundation, and numerous other private foundations, corporations, and individuals.
Nashville Steam is also planning a grand send-off party for the locomotive on Saturday, Oct. 27th they are calling the “No. 576 Revival Party.” The afternoon and evening event will celebrate the history of the locomotive in Centennial Park and give people a chance to envision its future. “If you grew up in Nashville, chances are you had your picture taken in front of No. 576 at some point in your life,” said Joey Bryan, Communications Manager for NSPS. “This will be the last opportunity for people to get a picture with the locomotive before we start final preparations for the relocation.”
The October event will simultaneously serve as the kickoff for the next round of fundraising. “Restoring a steam locomotive is an expensive endeavor,” said Bryan. “It takes a lot of work and money to make these industrial machines sing like they used to.” Musicians from all genres have looked to the steam locomotive for rhythmic inspiration in their song writing. “It only makes sense to have an operational steam locomotive right here in Music City.”
Nashville Steam anticipates an additional $2 million will need to be raised over the next three to four years to restore No. 576 to operation. “We are exploring several funding opportunities as well as grant programs to help offset the costs,” added Bryan. “It’s certainly a major undertaking but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past few months it’s that people want to hear and feel the song that only No. 576 can deliver.”
To learn more about the project or to donate to the restoration of No. 576, go to www.nashvillesteam.org.
Steam locomotive No. 576 was built for the Nashville, Chattanooga, & St. Louis Railway in 1942 by the American Locomotive Company. The locomotive arrived just in time for the war effort and hauled troop and supply trains throughout the southeast. No. 576 operated in revenue service for 10 years and was then donated to the people of Nashville. The locomotive was dedicated in Centennial Park on September 30, 1953 and has called the park home ever since.
The Nashville Steam Preservation Society formed in 2015 to preserve and celebrate the artifacts of Nashville’s rail heritage. NSPS secured an agreement with the City of Nashville in August 2016 to lease the locomotive with the intention to restore and operate the steam locomotive for special excursions out of downtown Nashville. NSPS is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation.
This is Great News!!!
“Hats off!” to all the donors, big and small, who collectively made this happen.
Visiting and admiring No. 576 was a staple of my meaningful, return-to-Nashville trips over the decades for Vanderbilt University class reunions — conveniently located on campus across the avenue from Centennial Park. A lasting impression: she’s mammoth in size; absolutely mammoth!
Oh, another tinge of rail nostalgia: walking the track, boarding, riding and dining on Nashville’s tourist/railfan operation, the Broadway Dinner Train, in the early ’90s (since shuttered) was a thrill.
With Cornelius Vanderbilt — “The Commodore” — being known for his peerless success in 19th century railroading and philanthropy in helping launch the institution of higher learning that forever bears his name, I hope someone from the school’s business office considers making a donation to the locomotive’s restoration. If they haven’t done so already.
Meanwhile, I wish all who attend the send-off party on the 27th a good time. Sure to be a beautiful fall Saturday in the park.
Sounds like they are on the right track in Nashville (sorry I can’t help myself) seriously I hope they are successful the 576 is a nice locomotive.
I too have photos of my children in front of 576 from the early 80’s, wonderful result and best wishes. would be neat to have 576 and the 611 together………
Magnificent! When the engine is ready to run again, I’ll be in Nashville!
I rode the Pan American from Cincinnati back in 1967 to see her in Nashville. I used my handy list of “steam engines on display” put out by the AAR to find her. Can’t wait to see her run on the N&E, a first class operation.
Do note the 576 will be moved onto the rails of shortline Nashville and Eastern. The NERR has over 30 miles of mainline which hosts the Music City Star commuter operation. That equates to 60 mph trackage. Couple this with the remaining 70 or so scenic miles of the NERR and you have the possibility for the best steam operation in the country.