[Firehouse]

The old row, new row distinctions don't really apply any more. Alabama built a new row in the 1960s, and some of those houses are Machine affiliated. Some came from the "old row" to the new one. The term has to do with the way certain houses were described fifty years ago. "Old-Line" vs "New Arrivals" might be a more accurate description. If you visit Alabama and ask around, you can find out pretty easily who the "old line" fraternities are. Start with DKE, then SAE. Certainly the Pikes, KAs and Sigma Nus. There are others as well. Note: this is not to say those are necessarily the top-ranked houses today, but the fraternities that were prominent/dominant at Capstone throughout most of the last century are the guiding lights of The Machine.
I hate to say this because it sounds so cliche, but if you haven't visited the University of Alabama, I don't think you can really understand this the specific culture that gives rise to the legend of The Machine.