Norfolk and Western No. 578

Norfolk and Western No. 578 is a Class E2 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive that was built by the American Locomotive Company's (ALCO) Richmond Works in March 1910 to serve on the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W).
No. 578 and the rest of its class were primary used for hauling passenger trains along the railway. In 1912, No. 578, along with the rest of the E2 class locomotives, were modified with superheated flues, and was reclassified as an E2a. The locomotive completed its final revenue passenger run in December 1958 before it was removed from the N&W's active roster. Instead of scrapping the engine, N&W decided to donate it to the Central Ohio Railfan Association of Worthington, Ohio in 1959. 
Since No. 578 was still in operational condition at the time, the association had decided to use the locomotive to pull their own short-distance tourist trains about five times a year starting in 1960. This had lasted until 1966, when the locomotive's flue-time had expired. Volunteers spent the next four years repairing its boiler in order for No. 578 to return to excursion service. 
Restoration work was completed in 1970, and the locomotive pulled a few more tourist trains on the now slightly extended line for the Association, which was now known as the Ohio Railway Museum (ORM). Unfortunately it was discovered that No. 578 had a broken spring hanger, which was deemed too expensive to repair or replace. Due to this No. 578 was subsequently retired from excursion service and was turned into a permanent static display exhibit.
As of today, No. 578 still remains on static display on the ORM's property.
== Trivia ==
* The engine can be seen in Blue Ridge Steam and Herron Rail Video's Pocahontas Glory Volumes 5 and 8 DVD's.
== Gallery ==
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Category:Preserved locomotives
Category:Preserved steam locomotives
Category:ALCO-Richmond Works
Category:ALCO-Richmond Locomotives
Category:ALCO locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:Built in 1910
Category:American steam locomotives
Category:American locomotives
Category:Tender locomotives
Category:Standard gauge locomotives
Category:Standard gauge locomotives of the United States
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:Norfolk and Western locomotives
Category:Sole survivor
Category:4-6-2 steam locomotives
Category:4-6-2 locomotives
Category:Passenger locomotives
Category:Excursion locomotives