A unique rail engine used to carry tons of coal at TVA's Gallatin Fossil Plant for more than three decades is being added to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum this fall as part of the museum's expansion and 60th-anniversary celebration.
Built in 1958 and known as the "Baby" Trainmaster, the locomotive was a 1600 horsepower version of the 2400 H24-66 Trainmaster, at that time the most powerful single- unit locomotive being built. The locomotive is one of the few surviving locomotives from the short lived locomotive supplier Fairbanks-Morse.
TVA used the locomotive at its Gallatin, Tennessee coal plant from 1958 to 1996 to move coal four miles from the CSX interchange to the plant where the coal was burned in the 976-megawatt plant. TVA retired the "Baby" Trainmaster in 1997 and is donating the rail engine to TVRM to display and possibly even operate.
Fairbanks-Morse entered the diesel locomotive market at the end of World War II planning to capitalize on the unique opposed piston engine used on many submarines and other naval vessels during the war. Featuring two pistons in each cylinder, the engine produced more horsepower per cylinder than other diesel engines of the time. The unique design of the opposing pistons also led to its downfall as the engine did not hold up in the harsh railroad operating environment and required dedicated maintenance facilities to make repairs.
TVA 3060 was one of the last locomotives that Fairbanks-Morse delivered to any railroad. The company exited the locomotive market by 1963 having produced less than 1,500 units.
TVA approached TVRM in 2019 regarding a possible donation and preservation of the locomotive.
Because rail service is no longer available to the Gallatin plant, planning began for moving the locomotive over the highway to Chattanooga. TVA will assist the move by providing cranes to lift the partially disassembled locomotive to the specially equipped truck for movement to Chattanooga.
"Placing this retired locomotive with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum means that this rare piece of history will be preserved for years to come," said Carol Eimers, TVA regional vice president of the utility's east region. "TVA worked closely with TVRM on a plan to safely transport this locomotive from the Gallatin Plant to Chattanooga, and we are proud it will be a part of the 60th anniversary celebration."
. The locomotive is one of only nine Fairbanks-Morse locomotives preserved today.
"This is a Tennessee treasure," said Steve Freer of the TVRM. "What is especially unique about this locomotive is that it was used strictly by TVA for its entire life of operation here in Tennessee."
The rail engine addition comes on the heels of additional building space also donated to the museum where TVRM is developing plans for a display building of historic railroad equipment.
It is planned for the locomotive to be on display in Chattanooga in time for the start of the year-long 60th Anniversary celebration beginning Oct. 14, 2021.
- Compiled by Dave Flessner