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Chesapeake and Ohio 614

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Chesapeake and Ohio 614
C&O No. 614 on display in its Greenbrier Presidential Express livery, August 2, 2012
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderLima Locomotive Works
Order number1201
Serial number9306
Build dateJune 1948
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-8-4
 • UIC2′D2′ h2
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.38 in (965 mm)
Driver dia.74 in (1,880 mm)
Trailing dia.42 in (1,067 mm) (44 in (1,118 mm) on last axle)
Tender wheels36 in (914 mm)
Minimum curve20°
Length:
​
 • Over couplers112 ft 2+3⁄4 in (34.21 m)
Height15 ft 8+7⁄8 in (4.80 m)
Axle load71,700 lb (32,500 kilograms; 32.5 metric tons)
Adhesive weight282,400 lb (128,100 kilograms; 128.1 metric tons)
Loco weight479,400 lb (217,500 kilograms; 217.5 metric tons)
Tender weight386,130 lb (175,150 kilograms; 175.15 metric tons)
Total weight865,530 lb (392,600 kilograms; 392.60 metric tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacityNew: 50,000 lb (23,000 kilograms; 23 metric tons)
Now: 100,000 lb (45,000 kilograms; 45 metric tons)[1]
Water cap.New: 21,500 US gal (81,000 L; 17,900 imp gal)
Now: 18,200 US gal (69,000 L; 15,200 imp gal)[1]
Firebox:​
 • Grate area100.3 sq ft (9.32 m2)
Boiler:
​
 • Diameter100 in (2,540 mm)
 • Small tubes22 - 2+1⁄4 in (57 mm)
 • Large tubes220 - 3+1⁄2 in (89 mm)
Boiler pressure255 psi (1.76 MPa)
Feedwater heaterHancock TA-1
Heating surface:​
 • Firebox150+1⁄16 in × 96+1⁄4 in (3,812 mm × 2,445 mm)
 • Total surface6,879 sq ft (639.1 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • TypeType E
 • Heating area2,058 sq ft (191.2 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size27+1⁄2 in × 30 in (698 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gearBaker
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 mph (160 km/h)
Power output3,468 hp (2,590 kW; 3,520 PS)
Tractive effort66,450 lbf (295.58 kN) (With Booster: 78,850 lbf (350.74 kN))
Factor of adh.4.44
Career
OperatorsChesapeake and Ohio Railway
Steam Locomotive Corporation of America
American Coal Enterprises
Iron Horse Enterprises
ClassJ-3-A
Number in class5
Numbers
  • C&O 614
  • C&O 611
  • C&O 614-T
Retired1955 (revenue service)
1999 (1st excursion service)
Restored1980 (1st excursion service)
Current ownerRJD America, LLC
DispositionUndergoing restoration to operating condition
References:[2][3]

Chesapeake and Ohio 614 is a class "J-3-A" 4-8-4 "Greenbrier" (Northern) type steam locomotive built in June 1948 by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) as a member of the J-3-A class. As one of the last commercially built steam locomotives in the United States, the locomotive was built with the primary purpose of hauling long, heavy, high speed express passenger trains for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway such as the George Washington and the Fast Flying Virginian.

Retired from active service in the mid 1950s, No. 614 was preserved and placed on display at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. Between 1979 and 1980, restoration work on the locomotive to operating condition took place and it was used for extensive mainline excursion service from the early 1980s until the late 1990s. From 2011 to 2025, No. 614 was on display at the C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge, Virginia. In November of 2024, the locomotive was sold to RJD America, who are currently restoring it to operating condition.[4]

History

Revenue service

A view of the backhead inside No. 614's cab

Most railroads called their 4-8-4s "Northerns", which is short for the railroad first using the 4-8-4 types, the 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 famous Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, a major resort on the C&O mainline, was the inspiration for the name "Greenbrier" applied to these 4-8-4s.[citation needed]

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. No. 614 was originally retired in 1952, but three years later, it, as well as No. 610 were brought back into revenue service to pull heavy freight trains in favor of the upcoming freight traffic on most American railroads. While being brought back into service, however, No. 614 was renumbered to 611, since there was a power shortage on the C&O as to alleviate any confusion with some leased 4-8-4s from the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, one of which was also numbered 614. The original C&O 611 remained out of service.

After just one year of revenue freight service, No. 614 was retired again and it was placed in storage with a group of other C&O steam locomotives in the form of a ‘scrap line’ in front of the C&O diesel shops in Russell, Kentucky where it remained for almost two decades.

Excursion service

In 1975, No. 614, as well as 2-8-4 Kanawha No. 2705 and 2-6-6-2 No. 1309, were sent to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland and were cosmetically restored for static display.

No. 614 crossing over the ex-B&O Potomac River bridge in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in September 1980

During 1979, Ross Rowland traded Reading T1 No. 2101, which was previously damaged in a roundhouse fire, to the museum in exchange for No. 614.[5] It was restored over the next 18 months with a cost of $1.5 million.[6] During the restoration, No. 614 was given an auxiliary tender, doubling her water capacity to 50,000 gallons. This allowed the 614 to run for longer times without having to refuel as much.[6] The Chessie Safety Express was No. 614's first major run, bringing her a bit of spotlight in the process. After the successful system tour, 614 was kept in Hagerstown, Maryland until 1985. American Coal Enterprises was developing a modern steam locomotive to be used as an alternative to rising oil costs by burning coal, known as the ACE 3000 Project.[7][8] 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.[citation needed] For several weeks in January and February 1985, 614 (now 614-T, symbolizing it as testing) hauled coal trains between Huntington and Hinton, West Virginia.[7][8] The 614's fuel consumption costs were actually lower than most diesel locomotives operating at that time.[citation needed]

In 1991, The 614 returned to its former home at the B&O Railroad Museum for temporary display.[9] In 1992, Rowland and Ralph Weisinger announced plans to use C&O 614 for the proposed 21st Century Limited, a cross country exhibit train to highlight the achievements and discoveries of the 20th century.[10][a] 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.[10] However, the 21st Century Limited project was cancelled.[13] In 1995, 614 was moved to the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad in New Hope, Pennsylvania for a complete overhaul. It was then used for a series of popular excursions between Hoboken, New Jersey and Port Jervis, New York in conjunction with New Jersey Transit (NJT) and co-sponsored by the Volunteer Railroaders Association between 1996 and 1998.[14][15]

21st century disposition and new owners

The 614 was required to pull 26 cars at 79 mph on some sections and maintain speed up several hills. During this time, No. 614 was re-equipped with cab signals, 26L brakes, speed control, an MU stand and ditch lights. Following the 1996 and 1997 excursions, Iron Horse Enterprises attempted to expand their excursion program with 614 beyond the NJT trackage.[15][16] Iron Horse Enterprises discussed excursion plans with several different railroads including the Florida East Coast Railway, Bangor & Aroostook, Conrail and Amtrak.[15][16] However, none of the plans came to fruition. In 2000, Rowland put the 614 up for auction at the NJT maintenance facility, but no buyers were interested.[15][17] In 2002, a deal was reached to sell 614 to Andrew Muller of the Reading and Northern Railroad and was moved to storage in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania.[18] However, the deal would not proceed and Rowland retained ownership of the locomotive.

In 2010, discussions began between Rowland and Jim Justice, owner of the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, and current governor of West Virginia. The resort owner had been interested in running steam-powered excursion trains from Greenbrier to Washington DC. To be known as the "Greenbrier Express", Justice planned to use steam and diesel power in the project but would have needed cooperation from CSX Transportation, the Buckingham Branch Railroad and Amtrak. In January 2011, the 614 was moved to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia for its Thoroughbreds of Steam exhibit.[19] In May 2011, the 614 was again moved to the C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge, Virginia.[19] From there, it was repainted in preparation for display for the Greenbrier Presidential Express.

However, the Greenbrier Express project was cancelled in May 2012 due to lack of funding and capacity problems on the CSX portion of the route, where a lack of passing sidings makes it difficult for eastbound trains to gain headway against the flow of westbound empty coal trains. The diesels and passenger cars were auctioned off and the 614 remained on static display at Clifton Forge for many years.[20] On November 8, 2024, it was announced that the 614 was sold to RJD America of Denville, New Jersey and would be restoring it to operating condition.[4][21] On June 7, 2025, No. 614 was moved out of the C&O Heritage Center and arrived at the Strasburg Rail Road in Strasburg, Pennsylvania the next day, being towed by Great Western 90 from the interchange at Leaman Place to the SRC's workshop.[22][23][24] Restoration work on 614 began on June 9, 2025.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b Nuckles & Dixon (1994), p. 44
  2. ^ Nuckles & Dixon (1994), p. 57
  3. ^ Nuckles & Dixon (1994), p. 60
  4. ^ a b Franz, Justin (November 8, 2024). "Chesapeake & Ohio 614 Sold, Restoration Effort Launched". Railfan & Railroad. White River Productions. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  5. ^ "The great exchange". Trains Magazine. Vol. 39, no. 9. Kalmbach Publishing. July 1979. p. 4.
  6. ^ a b Rutenburg, Sharon (July 9, 1981). "Nostalgia is bringing old steam trains back to life". Vol. 86, no. 231. The Dubois County Herald. p. 16.
  7. ^ a b Ellers, Richard (January 3, 1985). "Old engine puffs out of retirement". The Plain Dealer. p. 23.
  8. ^ a b "A RAIL RUN IS TESTING STEAM USE". The New York Times. January 27, 1985. p. 14. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  9. ^ "Railroad News Photos - Steaming". Trains. Vol. 52, no. 1. Kalmbach Publishing. January 1992. p. 15. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Zimmerman, Karl (February 1993). "Ross Rowland rides again". Trains. Vol. 53, no. 2. Kalmbach Publishing. pp. 26–28. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  11. ^ Kronemyer, Bob (January 26, 1992). "3001's waiting to pull 21st Century". No. 321. The South Bend Tribune. p. 42.
  12. ^ "21st Century Limited Locomotive 3001". Accuen Media. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  13. ^ "The 1996 - 2000 21st Century Limited". Accuen Media. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  14. ^ Barker, Olivia (October 10, 1998). "Trained in Elegance". The Journal News. White Plains, NY. p. C1. (continued): "Trained in Elegance". p. C6 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  15. ^ a b c d Stephens, Bill (June 2000). "Eastern plans don't jell, so C&O 4-8-4 is for sale". Trains. Vol. 60, no. 6. Kalmbach Publishing. pp. 21–23. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  16. ^ a b Stephens, Bill; Keefe, Kevin P. (May 1998). "Who's turning a wheel, and who's isn't". Trains. Vol. 58, no. 5. Kalmbach Publishing. p. 43. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  17. ^ Parry, Wayne (July 16, 2000). "Steam locomotive is put on the block--auction block, that is". Courier-Post. p. 7.
  18. ^ Huddleston, Eugene. "The Outstanding Features and Many Lives of C&O 614" (PDF). Chesapeake & Ohio 614. Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Thoroughbreds of Steam to Stand Side by Side". The Roanoke Star. January 20, 2011. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  20. ^ Steelhammer, Rick (September 14, 2014). "Greenbrier Express still viable, despite "liquidation' auction". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  21. ^ Cupper, Dan (November 8, 2024). "New group buys C&O 4-8-4 No. 614, eyes full restoration". Trains. Firecrown Media. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  22. ^ "C&O 614 begins journey to Pennsylvania for restoration". Southern Virginia Online. Southern Virginia Online. June 7, 2025. Archived from the original on June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  23. ^ Franz, Justin (2025-06-09). "Chesapeake & Ohio 614 Moved to Strasburg for Restoration". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  24. ^ "C&O No. 614 restoration to begin after arrival at Strasburg". Trains Magazine. Firecrown Media. June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  25. ^ "Restoration Updates". Chesapeake and Ohio 614. June 9, 2025. Archived from the original on July 6, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.

Notes

  1. ^ New York Central 3001 was also proposed to be restored to operating condition for the 21st Century Limited project.[11][12]

Further reading

  • Boyd, Jim; Dixon, Tom (January 1981). "The last Greenbrier". Railfan & Railroad. Vol. 3, no. 8. Carstens Publications. pp. 37–43.
  • Boyd, Jim (January 1981). "614 steams for safety". Railfan & Railroad. Vol. 3, no. 8. Carstens Publications. pp. 45–50.
  • Boyd, Jim (May 1985). "ACE puts steam to the test". Railfan & Railroad. Vol. 5, no. 10. Carstens Publications. pp. 34–43.
  • Jenkins, J. Daniel (2023). The Chesapeake & Ohio No. 614 Legacy: The Rise and Fall of an American Railroad Legend. Holihoon Media LLC. ISBN 979-8396270275.
  • Nuckles, Douglas; Dixon, Thomas (1994). Chesapeake & Ohio Greenbrier Type 4-8-4 Locomotives. Clifton Forge, Virginia: The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society. ISBN 0-939487-18-7.
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