N.C. & ST.L. 710: 75 YEARS STRONG & 68 YEARS SINCE MERGER

Ride Through Time: N.C. & St.L. 710 at 75 Years Strong & 68 Years Since Merger

This Labor Day Weekend, step aboard history in motion with N.C. & St. L. 710, the 1,500‑horsepower GP7 locomotive built in 1950 and lovingly restored to its original paint scheme. It’s not just a locomotive—it’s a tribute to 75 years of diesel heritage and to the railroad legacy. It has been 68 years since the 1957 merger that transitioned the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway into the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. From early diesel power to Amtrak service and back again, 710’s legacy rolls on—proud, powerful, and still going strong.

The Legacy of 68 Years Since the Merger

On August 30, 1957, the Nashville, Chattanooga, & St. Louis Railway officially merged into the L&N Railroad, marking a major shift in southeastern U.S. railroads. That pivotal moment reshaped regional transportation, enabling more streamlined routes and services across Tennessee and beyond.

This year—the 68th anniversary—offers a moment to reflect how that merger preserved N.C.& St.L.’s spirit within L&N operations, and set the stage for heritage preservation efforts at TVRM decades later.

N.C. & St.L. 710: 75 Years of Life—And Still in Motion

Built in 1950, N.C. & St.L.  710 began its career in an age of transition—diesel power overtaking steam. Through reassignments, parts changes, Amtrak lease service, and eventual retirement, 710 survived in part thanks to its sturdy build and regional importance. After restoration to its original N.C. & St. L. colors by TVRM, it now offers public excursions that blend technical fascination with heartfelt nostalgia.

Today, at 75 years old, 710 continues to chug, hum, and thrill riders—not just as a machine, but as a symbol of enduring American rail history in motion.