Chesapeake & Ohio 614
Encyclopedia
Chesapeake & Ohio 614 is a 4-8-4
steam locomotive
built by the Lima Locomotive Works
in Lima, Ohio
, in June 1948 for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
(C&O).
, is known for its prestige and was the inspiration for the name "Greenbrier" applied to these 4-8-4s.
The C&O had a total of 12 4-8-4s, with the first five numbered 600-604 built in 1935, with the designation J-3. In 1942, two more were ordered from Lima numbered 605-606. In 1948, the design changed slightly and the 610-614 were produced, with the J-3-A designation. All the J-3s were retired in 1955; however, several (including 614) were reactivated in 1956.
Due to increasing traffic, the C&O borrowed eleven 4-8-4s from the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
(RF&P) numbered 613-622. Because of one of the borrowed engines being numbered 614, the C&O renumbered J-3-A 614 to 611. Before the year closed out, both the 611 (614) and RF&P engines were retired, and 611 was sent to storage in Russell, Kentucky
.
4-8-4 2101
, owned by Ross Rowland
. This locomotive was rescued from a Baltimore scrap yard in 1975 and restored to service in a record thirty days for service on the American Freedom Train
, and later the Chessie Steam Special. Because of the fire damage, 2101 was no longer operable without extensive repairs. So, Rowland made a trade, the ex-Reading 2101 (cosmetically restored) for the 614, still numbered 611.
In 1980, the restored 614 made its maiden run pulling the Chessie Safety Express through 1981. After the successful system tour, 614 was kept in Hagerstown, Maryland
until 1985. American Coal Enterprise was developing a modern steam locomotive to be used as an alternative to rising oil costs by burning coal, known as the ACE 3000. The 614 was modified for better performance under the guidance of David Wardale, and fitted with testing equipment to measure the performance of the engine. For several weeks in January and February 1985, 614 (now 614T, symbolizing it as testing) hauled coal trains between Huntington
and Hinton, West Virginia
. The 614's fuel consumption costs were actually lower than most diesel locomotives operating at that time. Unfortunately firebox problems and a booster failure later on severely hampered the test results in the end. After the test runs, it was later returned to Baltimore under steam. The project never moved farther than the testing stage.
In 1992, Rowland's vision of the 21st Century Express was taking shape. To give the public an idea of the train, one side of 614 was decorated in a futuristic way with a blue streamlined shrouding and centered headlight. For press night, 614 was again steamed up for the occasion. In 1995, 614 was pulled from Baltimore to the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad
in Pennsylvania
for a complete overhaul. In 1996, the overhaul was complete and it was moved to Hoboken, New Jersey
, where, for the next three years, it pulled a series of very successful excursions to Port Jervis, New York
, and return.
. In 2000 Rowland put the 614 up for auction at the New Jersey Transit
Meadowlands maintenance facility, but no buyers stepped forward to meet the reserve price. The locomotive is still maintained by Iron Horse Enterprises, the most recent servicing of the locomotive being in 2006, in which the crew fitted shrink wrap to the top half of the locomotive to protect it from the elements. In 2010, discussions were reported between Rowland and Jim Justice: owner of the famed Greenbrier Resort. The resort owner is reportedly interested in running steam-powered excursion trains from Greenbrier to Washington, DC, and westward as well. To be known as the Greenbrier Express, Jim Justice plans to use steam and diesel in the project but would need to get the cooperation of CSX (which will not even allow dead steam in tow on its property at present), as well as the Buckingham Branch Railroad
and AMTRAK
. In early January 2011, it was announced that the 614 was moved by Norfolk Southern
to Roanoke, Virginia
for the Virginia Museum of Transportation's
new exhibit, entitled Thoroughbreds of Steam. On May 9, 2011 it was moved for display to the C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge, Virginia, on the CSX mainline, and is currently being repainted into its new paint scheme in preparation for stint on display for the Greenbrier Presidential Express in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
4-8-4
Under the Whyte notation classification of steam locomotives, 4-8-4 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles .Other equivalent classifications are:UIC classification: 2D2...
steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
built by the Lima Locomotive Works
Lima Locomotive Works
Lima Locomotive Works was an American firm that manufactured railroad locomotives from the 1870s through the 1950s. The company took the most distinctive part of its name from its main shops location in Lima, Ohio. The shops were located between the Baltimore & Ohio's Cincinnati-Toledo main line...
in Lima, Ohio
Lima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
, in June 1948 for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway was a Class I railroad formed in 1869 in Virginia from several smaller Virginia railroads begun in the 19th century. Led by industrialist Collis P...
(C&O).
Background
Most railroads called their 4-8-4s "Northerns," which is short for the railroad first using the 4-8-4 type, Northern Pacific Railroad. The workers of the C&O could not see naming these locomotives "Northerns" as the railroad was based in the southeast. The Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West VirginiaWhite Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
White Sulphur Springs is a city in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,444 at the 2010 census.-Geography:White Sulphur Springs is located at ....
, is known for its prestige and was the inspiration for the name "Greenbrier" applied to these 4-8-4s.
The C&O had a total of 12 4-8-4s, with the first five numbered 600-604 built in 1935, with the designation J-3. In 1942, two more were ordered from Lima numbered 605-606. In 1948, the design changed slightly and the 610-614 were produced, with the J-3-A designation. All the J-3s were retired in 1955; however, several (including 614) were reactivated in 1956.
Due to increasing traffic, the C&O borrowed eleven 4-8-4s from the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
The Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad was a railroad connecting Richmond, Virginia, to Washington, D.C. It is now a portion of the CSX Transportation system....
(RF&P) numbered 613-622. Because of one of the borrowed engines being numbered 614, the C&O renumbered J-3-A 614 to 611. Before the year closed out, both the 611 (614) and RF&P engines were retired, and 611 was sent to storage in Russell, Kentucky
Russell, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,645 people, 1,428 households, and 1,106 families residing in the city. The population density was 910.5 people per square mile . There were 1,584 housing units at an average density of 395.7 per square mile...
.
Excursion service
In 1975, 614 was sent to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1979, there was a roundhouse fire that damaged ReadingReading Company
The Reading Company , usually called the Reading Railroad, officially the Philadelphia and Reading Rail Road and then the Philadelphia and Reading Railway until 1924, operated in southeast Pennsylvania and neighboring states...
4-8-4 2101
Reading 2101
Reading 2101 is a 4-8-4 steam locomotive originally operated by the Reading Company. In 1975, the locomotive was the first to pull the American Freedom Train, which began touring the continental United States on April 1.-History 1923 to 1974:...
, owned by Ross Rowland
Ross Rowland
Ross E. Rowland, Jr. is a significant figure in the United States railroad preservation, recreation and enthusiast communities who is closely identified with running public and demonstration excursions on existing railroads utilizing steam locomotives....
. This locomotive was rescued from a Baltimore scrap yard in 1975 and restored to service in a record thirty days for service on the American Freedom Train
American Freedom Train
The United States has seen two national 'Freedom Trains'. The 1947–1949 Freedom Train was a special exhibit train that toured the United States in the later half of the 1940s. A similar train called the American Freedom Train toured the country for the United States Bicentennial celebration in...
, and later the Chessie Steam Special. Because of the fire damage, 2101 was no longer operable without extensive repairs. So, Rowland made a trade, the ex-Reading 2101 (cosmetically restored) for the 614, still numbered 611.
In 1980, the restored 614 made its maiden run pulling the Chessie Safety Express through 1981. After the successful system tour, 614 was kept in Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown is a city in northwestern Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Washington County, and, by many definitions, the largest city in a region known as Western Maryland. The population of Hagerstown city proper at the 2010 census was 39,662, and the population of the...
until 1985. American Coal Enterprise was developing a modern steam locomotive to be used as an alternative to rising oil costs by burning coal, known as the ACE 3000. The 614 was modified for better performance under the guidance of David Wardale, and fitted with testing equipment to measure the performance of the engine. For several weeks in January and February 1985, 614 (now 614T, symbolizing it as testing) hauled coal trains between Huntington
Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
and Hinton, West Virginia
Hinton, West Virginia
Hinton is a city in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,880 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Summers County. Hinton was established in 1873 and chartered in 1897. Hinton was named for John "Jack" Hinton, a prominent lawyer of Summers County and husband of...
. The 614's fuel consumption costs were actually lower than most diesel locomotives operating at that time. Unfortunately firebox problems and a booster failure later on severely hampered the test results in the end. After the test runs, it was later returned to Baltimore under steam. The project never moved farther than the testing stage.
In 1992, Rowland's vision of the 21st Century Express was taking shape. To give the public an idea of the train, one side of 614 was decorated in a futuristic way with a blue streamlined shrouding and centered headlight. For press night, 614 was again steamed up for the occasion. In 1995, 614 was pulled from Baltimore to the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad
New Hope and Ivyland Railroad
The New Hope and Ivyland Railroad is a shortline railroad in Pennsylvania. It also operates a heritage railroad, offering passenger excursions....
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
for a complete overhaul. In 1996, the overhaul was complete and it was moved to Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
, where, for the next three years, it pulled a series of very successful excursions to Port Jervis, New York
Port Jervis, New York
Port Jervis is a city on the Delaware River in western Orange County, New York, with a population of 8,860 at the 2000 census. The communities of Deerpark, Huguenot, Sparrowbush, and Greenville are adjacent to Port Jervis, and the towns of Montague, New Jersey and Matamoras, Pennsylvania face the...
, and return.
Current status
The excursions really put to the test how well a Lima product is built. 614 was required to pull 26 cars at 79 mph on some sections, and maintain speed up several hills. During this time, 614 was equipped with cab signals, 26L brakes, speed control and an MU stand. Since then, 614 has been moved to storage on the Reading and Northern Railroad in Port Clinton, PennsylvaniaPort Clinton, Pennsylvania
Port Clinton is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 288 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Port Clinton is located at ....
. In 2000 Rowland put the 614 up for auction at the New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
Meadowlands maintenance facility, but no buyers stepped forward to meet the reserve price. The locomotive is still maintained by Iron Horse Enterprises, the most recent servicing of the locomotive being in 2006, in which the crew fitted shrink wrap to the top half of the locomotive to protect it from the elements. In 2010, discussions were reported between Rowland and Jim Justice: owner of the famed Greenbrier Resort. The resort owner is reportedly interested in running steam-powered excursion trains from Greenbrier to Washington, DC, and westward as well. To be known as the Greenbrier Express, Jim Justice plans to use steam and diesel in the project but would need to get the cooperation of CSX (which will not even allow dead steam in tow on its property at present), as well as the Buckingham Branch Railroad
Buckingham Branch Railroad
Buckingham Branch Railroad is a Class III short-line railroad operating over 200 miles of historic and strategic trackage in Central Virginia...
and AMTRAK
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
. In early January 2011, it was announced that the 614 was moved by Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
to Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
for the Virginia Museum of Transportation's
Virginia Museum of Transportation
The Virginia Museum of Transportation is a museum devoted to the topic of transportation located in Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A..- History :...
new exhibit, entitled Thoroughbreds of Steam. On May 9, 2011 it was moved for display to the C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge, Virginia, on the CSX mainline, and is currently being repainted into its new paint scheme in preparation for stint on display for the Greenbrier Presidential Express in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.