It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:45 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: CSX doubles Trains Magazine's 2013 Preservation Award
PostPosted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 9:04 pm 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 1:51 pm
Posts: 11482
Location: Somewhere east of Prescott, AZ along the old Santa Fe "Prescott & Eastern"
Lifted from Trains.com because it's more of a press release than anything:

WAUKESHA, Wis. – CSX Corp. has doubled Trains Magazine's 2013 Preservation Award of $10,000 for the cosmetic restoration of a steam locomotive on a list of the nation's most endangered railroad landmarks.

The award goes to the North Florida Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, working in conjunction with three other railroad history groups in northern Florida, for the restoration of Atlantic Coast Line No. 1504, a 1919 steam locomotive on display in CSX's headquarters city of Jacksonville, Fla. NRHS named the locomotive to its top eight endangered railroad landmarks in April.

This marks the first time a Class I railroad has partnered with Trains, the world¹s largest consumer magazine and Web site devoted to railroading, to match the award. This is the 14th year for the award, which has now contributed $140,000 to railway preservation projects nationwide. The 2013 award was chosen from more than 50 applicants.

The locomotive is the only remaining original United States Railway Administration steam locomotive in essentially its original as-built appearance. USRA locomotives were built to a successful standard design during World War I and in years after. No. 1504 has been on display outdoors for more than 50 years and is deteriorating rapidly in the hot and humid Florida climate. The engine is displayed at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, named for a former CSX chairman.

The award was announced Oct. 19 during the annual Association of Tourist Railroads and Railway Museums conference, held this year in Riverside, Calif.

The North Florida Chapter NRHS is coordinating efforts to rescue No. 1504 with its "Project Return to Glory." The Trains Preservation award will fund the project¹s first phase, which focuses on the engine¹s appearance and stabilization. Also participating are the Atlantic Coast Line-Seaboard Air Line Historical Society, the Southeast Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, and the North Florida Railroad Museum.

"We are thrilled at the coalition of public and private organizations that have joined together to save this vital piece of railroad history," said John S. Holmgren, president of the North Florida Chapter. "Thanks to Trains Magazine and CSX, we can rescue engine 1504 through urgently needed cosmetic restoration and help ensure a bright and secure future for this historic locomotive."

"We are thrilled with CSX¹s participation, and we hope this is the beginning of a long-term view of this locomotive as an important keepsake of American history that needs the best care possible," Trains Editor Jim Wrinn said. "We would love to see more work on top of what Trains and CSX are funding, a roof to shelter it, and an endowment to ensure that this treasure is with us forever."

Additional donations to the project are welcomed and may be sent to North Florida Chapter NRHS, PO Box 16493, Jacksonville, FL 32245-6493. To contact the project, email ACL1504.NFC@gmail.com.


Offline
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


 Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Majestic-12 [Bot] and 120 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: