NEW HAVEN, Ky. — Louisville & Nashville No. 152, the Kentucky Railway Museum 4-6-2 named the official steam locomotive of the Commonwealth of Kentucky by an act of the Kentucky Legislature, is beginning an overhaul to be returned to operation.
The museum has awarded a contract to Next Generation Rail Solutions of Irvine, Ky., to resurrect the Pacific type, built by Rogers Locomotive Works in 1905. The engine’s driving wheels and associated equipment arrived Tuesday at the former CSX Ravenna Shops, now home of Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp., where Next Generation leases space. No. 152’s boiler will be shipped to the facility in a few weeks.
Next Generation Rail owner Jason Sobczynski will perform and oversee specialty work to return the locomotive to operation, while other aspects of the restoration will be performed in-house by museum volunteers. The project is being partially funded by a Transportation Alternatives Program grant awarded by Kentucky in 2019; the complete cost of the restoration is expected to reach or exceed $800,000.
“We are pleased that these state funds will be staying within the Commonwealth, helping bring jobs and technical training to the Bluegrass” Rob Minton, project manager of the No. 152 restoration, said in a press release. “This is the definition of a public-private partnership where grant dollars can work for the good of economic development, tourism and technical skills training. It’s a great story.”
Minton says the project will require $200,000 to $300,000 of additional fundraising.
“We are grateful to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for their recognition of the importance of this artifact” he said. “But in order to see this engine once again under steam, we will continue to raise funds to get us to our goal.”
Tax-deductible contributions can be made at the donations page of the museum website. The restoration process will be documented on Facebook pages of Crew 152 and Jason Sobczynski.
L&N No. 152 was restored to operating condition in 1986, more than 30 years after it had last turned a wheel. After a lengthy excursion career, including regular time on Kentucky Railway Museum excursions originating in New Haven, it was removed from service in 2011, needing extensive overhaul work.
If the Brits can build new steam engines 0-4-4, then we can rebuild ours!!! As I recall this loco had some sweet “music” when she steamed by. Best of luck with the rebuild!
Woul;n’t a “new” NYC J3 Hudson be nice?
I swear this decade is becoming a Pacific renaissance. Not that I’m complaining. Best of luck to the guys in Kentucky!