On April 7, 2023, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) announced that it was transferring ownership of steam locomotive #5288 to the Colebrookdale Railroad in Pennsylvania. The museum states that a multi-million dollar restoration of the locomotive is not currently possible with other items of their collection also needing work. The hope is that Colebrookdale will be able to give the locomotive the care and attention it deserves.
#5288 is a 4-6-2 locomotive built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1919 for the Grand Trunk Railway. The locomotive worked for the Grand Trunk and later Canadian National until it was sold in 1969. It became part of the Steamtown collection before coming to TVRM in 2001. The locomotive will reportedly be moved to Colebrookdale within the coming weeks.
#5288 becomes the third steam locomotive on the Colebrookdale roster. #5030 is another Grand Trunk 4-6-2 and is currently on display in Jackson, Michigan. LS&I #18 is an ALCO 2-8-0 that was acquired from the Grand Canyon Railroad and is currently being restored by the railroad. #5288 will initially be displayed at the railroad’s Boyertown station before being restored.
Photo from the TVRM Facebook page.
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