Richmond Locomotive and Machine Works
Also known as: American Locomotive Company, Richmond Works; 127-6188
Why it's listed
Two industrial buildings at North Boulevard and Leigh Street in Richmond preserve the legacy of a locomotive builder that grew out of Tredegar Iron Works. The larger Iron Foundry, in use by 1887 and joined into a single building of about 480 feet in 1917, has a steel frame, brick walls and overhead crane rails. The smaller Brass Foundry, built in 1922 of reclaimed brick with steel trusses made by the owner, retains its stepped gables and truss system. Under the Richmond Locomotive & Machine Works and, after 1901, the American Locomotive Company, the operation turned out 682 documented locomotives that served major American railroads and lines in Canada, Sweden, Finland, Manchuria, Japan and New Zealand. Richmond-built engines included the first Mountain-type locomotives, and Southern Railway No. 1401 is displayed at the Smithsonian. The plant made specialty parts until 1949. Few buildings of this kind survive, because their size made reuse difficult. One later recycling center on the site does not contribute.
Significance in brief: The plant was the largest and most significant locomotive manufacturer in Virginia and the only locomotive plant built in Richmond, with a documented 682 locomotives shipped to railroads across America and abroad. It is also one of few surviving large-scale buildings from the steam locomotive industry, which were usually demolished or converted after use.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 07000363, listed April 27, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1331 North Blvd., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | April 27, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000363 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1887 - 1949 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Industry |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The site remained in use until late 2006, most recently as a specialty steel fabrication plant. A rail spur still brings trains to the Richmond Science Museum for special events. |
| Acreage | 4.1 |
| Coordinates | 37.56784, -77.46642 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 07000363.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16899288
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.