Corbin Tourism Commission approves request for proposal specs for L&N 2132 restoration

While the L&N 2132 steam engine along with her tender and caboose have received a new albeit temporary coat of paint, the Corbin Tourism Commission took the next step in the plans to restore the historic railroad pieces by approving the request for proposal Monday night.

Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Kriebel presented the commission with the seven-page document detailing the project that is scheduled to begin in mid March.

Restoration and repairs of L&N 2132 are on hold until spring.

“We are looking to release it for bid in late November and close the bids in mid December,” Kriebel said adding she came up with the estimated cost of $150,000-$300,000 following discussions with representatives from the L&N Historical Society and professionals who have performed similar restoration work.

Kriebel told the commissioners that the tourism commission currently has $640,000 in available funds.

The tourism commission receives funding through the transient taxes charged on hotel rooms rented in Corbin.

“It wanted to make sure we could pay for as much as possible out of pocket,” Kriebel said.

Items to complete on the locomotive during the restoration include:

• Removal and proper disposal of asbestos
• Repair top of smoke box and top of boiler where domes were removed and replaced
• Fabricate and install sandpipes and air pump pipes
• Fabricate and install missing handrail segments and missing/broken stations
• Remove rusted cab sides and apply new steel
• Fabricate and install non-functional cab doors and windows
• Remove existing cab ceiling woodwork; install and paint new wooden ceiling
• Repair and rewire cab light fixtures, including lights for water glass, steam and air gauges, etc.
• Run new wire to headlight
• Straighten running boards, steps and footboard brackets
• Blast entire locomotive with dry ice/comparable media
• Paint entire locomotive

Similar repair and maintenance work will be completed on the tender and caboose along with the painting.

Commissioner Alan Onkst asked Kriebel why the French Broad River Pullman car was not being included in the bid.

Kriebel explained that the Pullman car was in much better condition and that the necessary work required vendors because of the nature of the work.

“This makes me feel better,” said Commissioner Tom Rose upon reviewing the documents.

Kriebel said previously that once the work on the locomotive begins it should take approximately three weeks to complete