CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee — Sugar Express LLC and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum announced in a Facebook post that steam locomotive No. 1504 will be donated to TVRM, shifting the engine’s future from a planned restoration project to museum stewardship.
The locomotive is a U.S. Railroad Administration light Pacific built by Richmond Locomotive Works in August 1919 for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It was placed on display in Jacksonville, Florida, beginning in 1960, before being acquired by U.S. Sugar and later moved to Chattanooga for a planned return to service under Sugar Express.
U.S. Sugar said it has decided not to pursue the restoration of No. 1504, citing the Sugar Express operation’s long-term needs and rising material and labor costs. The company said steam locomotive No. 148 will continue as the Sugar Express’ primary locomotive in Clewiston, Florida.
TVRM said the locomotive will become part of its collection and that the museum will place the locomotive’s components into storage while it conducts a thorough evaluation. The museum said it will announce conclusions and next steps after that assessment, including whether the locomotive will be displayed and whether operation could be considered in the future.
According to the Sugar Express website, No. 1504 “is the sole surviving United States Railroad Administration designed light Pacific-type steam locomotive and largest remaining locomotive of its type from the Atlantic Coast Line.”
Be the first to comment