Current Museum Activities
(Click on images for larger view.)
The North Alabama Railroad Museum is currently engaged in an ambitious work program including the following projects:
One of the museum's latest projects undertaken is the task of preparing and re-painting the Alco S-2 locomotive into a Nashville, Chattanooga. & St. Louis color scheme typical of the era. Though this will mean there will be a transition period when the "old gal" may not look her best, we are hoping the final result will be worth it. At the present time, the locomotive has been prepped and is wearing gray primer. Picture her now in her final polyurethane colors gleaming in the morning sun with her dark red bodywork and yellow stripes pointing the way.
The restoration of the Boxcab outer metal is continuing with one side that had been
severly altered now restored to original configuration. Emphasis is being placed on
window installation and good progress has also been made inside with a majority of the
walls and ceiling being de-scaled, primed and painted. The National Railway Historical Society
"Railway Heritage Grant" made much of this work possible. Thanks NRHS!
This baggage car has recently had the inside walls primed, been rewired, sliding door rails rebuilt and lighting installed. This car has already been used successfully on museum excursions and will be used in the future for sale of souvenirs and drinks during train rides. Several depot style benches have been installed for passengers to ride in and enjoy the scenery.
This coach is desperately needed to handle the overflow of passengers we sometimes have to turn away. A diesel generator has been installed and a few windows replaced. Still needed are more windows replaced and the 1940's electricals checked out and updated if needed.
The baggage portion of the R.P.O. has been restored and can be viewed by visitors.
The postal end has required a significant effort which is finally coming to fruition. In fact, on Thursday, May 22,
a momentous celebration is being planned for 10:00 AM. The R.P.O. is being officially dedicated and there will real cancellations made by postal officials just like in the "good old days". These special letter covers will be made available to those who are lucky enough to purchase one. Please follow the links on
index page on this website to get further details on this and the restoration process of the R.P.O. car.
Museum members are removing track and signals from a section of track in north Huntsville donated by Norfolk Southern. Ironically, this is a section of trackage that was
once owned by the N.C. & St. L. and connected to our track at Chase. More than three
fourths of the 9000 feet donated have been removed and hauled to track extension mentioned below. Thanks Norfolk Southern!
Museum members are also in the process of laying new trackage on our property that extends eastward to Naugher Rd. The run-around track (and its 2 switches) at this terminus has been installed and cross ties are multiplying in the direction of the Chase depot. At present, more than two thirds of the track needed to complete the line has been layed with final spiking, ballasting, leveling and lining
still some time away. A little history on our line, when Seaboard (what is now CSX Corporation) discontinued service on their line, the museum bought a portion (roughly five miles) of the right-of-way and named it the Mercury &
Chase Railroad (after two stops that were originally located on the line). Other track projects museum members have
also built include: Over a mile of track that had been removed before it was purchased by NARM, several storage tracks,
display tracks and run-around tracks as well. Soon, we will be able to fully use all 5 miles of
right-of-way owned by the museum making it possible to have a 10 mile round trip for riders to enjoy.
| Street address: North Alabama Railroad Museum, Inc. 694 Chase Road "The Historic Chase Community" Huntsville, Alabama | Mailing address: North Alabama Railroad Museum, Inc. P.O. Box 4163 Huntsville, Alabama 35815-4163 Phone: 205-851-6276 (NARM) |
Last updated 02/07/2001