I heard the same story about the 5288...it was thought that the locomotive could repressent a "heavy pacific" like any number of the south eastern railroads had...Southern, L&N, NC&StL, ACL, Frisco?...any of the big passenger carriers. It would require a new cab and some other jewelry...but otherwise it is very similar to a PS-4. Paint it black and letter it "Tennessee Valley" on the cab...who would care?
But...the "purists" at TVRM would not hear of it. So it will be home to mud daubers for the rest of eternity.
T7