Relocating and reviving a piece of history in Nashville

Mammoet to move historic No. 576 Steam Locomotive for restoration efforts

Mammoet has been awarded the transport of the historic No. 576 steam locomotive approximately 2 miles from its current location in Nashville's Centennial Park in Tennessee, USA to live rail where it will receive additional servicing. From there it will be pulled to a restoration facility to undergo a complete mechanical overhaul. Built in 1942, it is the last remaining J-3 class 4-8-4 steam locomotive designed and built by the American Locomotive Company for the Nashville, Chattanooga, & St. Louis Railway (NC&StL). Mammoet’s crews will jack the train up from its current position, secure it to a trailer and transport it to be restored. The move is expected to take four to six weeks and restoration could take up to four years to complete. Ultimately, it will be returned to service.

Mammoet has been contracted by the the Nashville Steam Preservation Society, whose mission is to preserve history by restoring and operating relevant historic railroad equipment for the purposes of education, tourism, and goodwill to and for Metro Nashville. The Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway No. 576 pulled the trains that brought musicians to Nashville, and the 576 has appeared on several magazine and album covers over the years alongside some of Nashville’s finest musicians, including Johnny Cash and Hank Snow. The No. 576 Steam Locomotive retired after 10 years of service. It was saved from the scrappers torch and moved to Centennial Park in 1953, where it has been since.

Mammoet has previous experience in moving historic locomotives, having recently moved a 130 year old Locomotive 29 in downtown Calgary for restoration as well.