Motive Power
L&N GP7 405
Originally built for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in April of 1951, this GP7 type locomotive was built to move freight across much of the L&N's network, making 405 a frequenter to Nashville in the 1950s, 60s and 1970s. By 1981 though, the L&N's name would be absorbed into the newly branded Family Lines System, ushering in a new numbering pattern for locomotives. As a result, L&N 2302 was repainted and renumbered as SBD 2302. The Geep would soldier on until retirement from the subsequently formed CSX Transportation in the late 80s, and even then would still be moving freight on the Kentucky and West Tennessee short line, with another new paint scheme and the number 300. Finally, the unit would be donated to TCRM in November of 2000, where volunteers would spend the following twelve years restoring and rechristening the Geep to its original identity; L&N 405.
Today, this unit is actively on the head end of our excursion trains between Nashville and Watertown.
TCRX SW8 52
Built in June of 1951 for the US Army as USAX 2038. This SW8, Class D-SD-8, was built by Electro-Motive in La Grange, IL. It was sold to TCRM in 1994, and repainted by volunteers two years later. The switcher’s current identity pays homage to the original TCRy’s diesel switchers, ALCo HH660 No. 50, and ALCo S1 No. 51.
“L&N” F7A 819
This EMD F7A started out in life in June 1952 as Bessemer and Lake Erie Railway 719. For over fifty years, it was 719’s duty to move iron ore from the docks on Lake Erie to the steel mills near Pittsburgh, PA. 719 and other F Units like this were still moving ore jenny cars around the ore docks at Conneaut, OH and Erie, PA as late as 2000!
At the end of this unit’s career, the entire F Unit fleet was sold to locomotive resale company Larry’s Truck and Electric Co. in 2000. TCRM would purchase this unit along with sister 715 and two B-Units. Although the restoration has been long and daunting, it is hoped that the rechristened 819, wearing the blue and cream colors of the passenger fleet, will soon be hitting the rails on the head end of our trains.
“L&N” F7B 715 & 719
Like the F7A running mates, B-Units 715 and 719 were built to help move iron ore across the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railway. Unlike the A-Units though, these engines do not come with cabs, and are there simply to provide extra horsepower while conforming to the seamless appearance of the A-B-B-A lash up.
These B-Units served the B&LE until retirement and sale to Larry’s Truck and Electric. Acquired by the museum in 2001, 715 made its debut run in 2002, with 719 joining the lashup a year later. Both units are painted blue and cream, resembling the L&N passenger locomotives that would’ve moved people through Nashville.
“L&N” F7A 815 (unrestored)
What will one day be L&N 815 currently sits as 715. This F7A unit was originally built for Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad in 1952. It was transferred as Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Co in 1968 and later sold to Larry's Truck Electric Co. It was sold to Tennessee Central Ry Museum in 2001 to be restored and painted as Louisville & Nashville 815. This will then operate as a A-B-B-A Set of F7 Units.