Ongoing Museum Activities

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The North Alabama Railroad Museum is currently engaged in an ambitious work program including the following projects:

• Restoration of the Alco/GE/Ingersoll-Rand Boxcab Locomotive

  The 1926 Boxcab Locomotive is of special interest to railroad historians. This locomotive and those of its type were the forerunners to the modern day diesel locomotives that eventually spelled the end of the steam era. This is a very rare locomotive that was built through a concerted effort with Alco building the body and related parts, General Electric furnishing the traction motors and electricals and Ingersoll-Rand providing the 300 horsepower prime mover. Our locomotive, originally No. 11 then and now, served breifly as a demonstrator unit and eventually was bought by Union Carbide in Niagra Falls. There it served for most of its life until it was tranferred to the Union Carbide plant in Sheffield, Alabama. It was donated to our museum by Union Carbide on July 28, 1977. The prime mover was replaced in 1960 by a Caterpillar unit of the same horsepower rating. It is thought to be one of only a few boxcabs of this type left in the country and one of only 2 boxcabs left that had end doors. The restoration of the Boxcab outer body metal is largely complete. All the sections that had been severly altered have now been replaced to original configuration. All of the non-original windows have been replaced 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. However, much work remains inside and out. On the outside the end steps that were added must be removed and the couplers and related mechanisms returned to original configuration. New doors will need to be built and numerous cosmetic appliances replaced. Inside, a complete control and brake stand will need to be replaced as well as many other items. And finally, the mechanical and electrical components will need a throrough rework before this locomotive can once again propel itself down the track. For a more detailed look at the boxcab's progress, you may go here to another website.

• Construction of Our Pavilion

  We have already broken ground for the construction of our pavilion at Chase. It is a much needed addition to our facility and will make a great place to seek shelter from the heat and rain or enjoy a picnic lunch. But it's greatest asset for the astute train watcher may well be the view it will provide of the museum's Mercury & Chase track as well as the Norfolk Southern main track.

• Restoration of Passenger Coach 6090

  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.

• Installation of 1.5 Miles of Donated Track

  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, most 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.

• Donation and Restoration of the Plevna Depot Structure

  At one time, there was a depot located in the Plevna community on the N., C. and St. L. Railroad. This depot was apparently torn down around 1940. However, from the remains arose what was called a "Prepay Freight Station and Passenger Waiting Shelter". On Wednesday, June 10, 1998, this donated structure was moved to our museum at Chase. Here, this structure, after further restoration, will again see similar service in keeping prospective passengers out of the hot sun, rain, and cold.

  

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Last updated 02/18/99