Kentucky Railway Museum To Hold Fundraising Excursions For L&N 152
Published: March 18, 2026
By: Adam Burns
The Kentucky Railway Museum has announced it will be holding two different excursions on during the weekend of May 16-17, 2026 to aid in the fundraising efforts of Louisville & Nashville 4-6-2 #152, the organization's star locomotive that is currently undergoing its FRA-mandated inspection and overhaul. This work has been ongoing since July 1, 2015.
The events include Saturday and Sunday excursions behind Jeddah Coal 0-4-0T #85. The trips are scheduled to depart at 10:00 a.m., Noon, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET. To learn more about these excursions please click here. In addition, there will be a photo freight held on May 16th at 6 PM. This event will be offered to just twenty individuals. To learn more please click here.
Louisville & Nashville 4-6-2 #152 leads excursions near the Kentucky Railway Museum following its initial restoration in October, 1986. Roger Puta photo.About L&N 152
Louisville & Nashville Railroad No. 152 is one of the most historically significant preserved steam locomotives in the United States, representing the early era of modern passenger locomotive design. Built in October 1905 by the Rogers Locomotive Works of Paterson, New Jersey, the engine was part of the railroad’s first group of 4-6-2 “Pacific” types—then a cutting-edge design intended for fast passenger service.
Classified originally as a K-1 and later rebuilt to K-2A standards, No. 152 was the third of 25 locomotives in its class and helped usher in a new era of efficiency for the Louisville & Nashville (L&N). The 4-6-2 wheel arrangement—featuring four leading wheels, six driving wheels, and a two-wheel trailing truck—allowed for a larger firebox and greater steaming capacity, making it ideal for sustained high-speed passenger operations.
During its early career, No. 152 hauled some of the L&N’s most important passenger trains, including assignments on the famed Pan-American route. As newer and more powerful locomotives entered service in the 1920s, the engine was reassigned to flatter territories along the Gulf Coast, where it continued to provide reliable service.
Like many steam locomotives of its era, No. 152’s duties gradually declined after World War II as dieselization swept across American railroads. It was officially retired from revenue service on February 17, 1953. Fortunately, L&N President John E. Tilford intervened to save the locomotive from scrapping—an act that ensured its preservation for future generations.
Donated to the Kentucky Railway Museum, No. 152 became one of the institution’s cornerstone artifacts. After a lengthy restoration that began in 1972, the locomotive returned to steam in 1985—its first operation in more than three decades. It subsequently operated excursion trains both on the museum’s line and occasionally on mainline railroads, including appearances associated with larger steam programs during the 1980s.
In recognition of its historical importance, No. 152 was designated the Official State Locomotive of Kentucky in 2000 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also widely regarded as the oldest surviving 4-6-2 “Pacific” type locomotive in existence, making it a uniquely valuable artifact of early 20th-century railroading.
The locomotive last operated in 2011 before being sidelined for mechanical issues. Today, it is continuing to undergo restoration as the museum procures funds for this endeavor with the goal of returning it to operating condition once again—continuing its long legacy as a living piece of railroad history.
Engine Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Builder | Rogers Locomotive Works |
| Build Date | October 1905 |
| Wheel Arrangement | 4-6-2 ("Pacific") |
| Class | K-1 (rebuilt K-2A) |
| Driver Diameter | 69 in |
| Boiler Pressure | 200 psi |
| Cylinders | Two, 20 × 28 in |
| Valve Gear | Walschaerts |
| Locomotive Weight | 187,800 lbs |
| Tender Weight | 143,400 lbs |
| Total Weight | 331,200 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 tons (coal) |
| Water Capacity | 7,000 gallons |
| Tractive Effort | ~27,600–29,000 lbs |
| Axle Load | ~42,000 lbs |
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