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The Kentucky Railway Museum needs to raise about $400,000 to complete the restoration of Louisville & Nashville 4-6-2 152. The locomotive is currently being worked on by Next Generation Rail Solutions LLC at the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. shop in Ravenna, Ky.

Locomotive 152 was built by the Rogers Locomotive Works in 1905 and was first restored in the preservation era in the 1980s. It last ran in 2011. The museum has been raising money for the restoration for years and has invested about $700,000 in the project so far. The restoration was kicked into high gear in 2023, when the engine — or parts of it — began to arrive in Ravenna.

Kentucky Railway Museum officials said progress has been made on the running gear, boiler and firebox. The $400,000 needed to finish the restoration will fund reassembly of the engine and prepare the locomotive for inspection by the Federal Railroad Administration and testing.

On May 16 and 17, the museum is hosting a fundraiser featuring the Gramling Locomotive Works’ Jeddo Coal 0-4-0 No. 85. In addition to short excursions, there will be throttle time sessions and a photo freight. Visit kyrail.org for more information.

—Justin Franz

The post Fundraising Continues to Restore Louisville & Nashville 152 appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Officials with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society have said they are on track to move New York Central L-3a 4-8-2 “Mohawk” 3001 out of Elkhart, Ind., this summer, the first major step towards a highly anticipated operational restoration. 

This spring, the Fort Wayne group has been working at the National New York Central Railroad Museum to rebuild yard tracks that will enable them to move the locomotive onto Norfolk Southern rails, and eventually, the shop where the 4-8-2 will be restored. In late April, the air brake system was also restored on the locomotive, allowing it to be safely moved on the main line. 

The 3001 is the largest surviving NYC steam locomotive and the only member of the L-3a class to escape the scrapper’s torch. The locomotive was under the care of the City of Elkhart, Ind., and has been on display at the National New York Central Museum for decades. In October 2024, FWRHS launched an effort to restore the locomotive for use on its popular Indiana Rail Experience excursions. 

FWRHS owns three other steam locomotives, most notably Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 765, which it has operated since the 1970s. For the last few years, it has managed the Indiana Rail Experience, an excursion operation on the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, which has trackage in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Much of that track is former NYC, meaning locomotive 3001 will be right at home. NYC 3001 will also join the fleet of seven Budd streamlined cars built in 1941 for the NYC “Empire State Express” and purchased from Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in 2023.

According to FWRHS, a mechanical evaluation of the locomotive has been performed by FMW Solutions with financial support from former Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. The group estimates that it will take $4.3 million to restore the locomotive to operation. Donations can be made online at AmericanLoco.org. FWRHS is also encouraging people to join its pledge list.

—Justin Franz 

The post NYC Mohawk on Track to Move this Summer appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.