Chesapeake & Ohio 614
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| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Lima Locomotive Works |
| Serial number | 9306 |
| Build date | June 1948 |
| Configuration | 4-8-4 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Driver size | 72 inches (183 cm) diameter |
| Length | 112 ft 3 in (34.2 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 282,400 lb |
| Locomotive weight | 479,400 lb |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 865,530 lb |
| Fuel type | coal |
| Tender capacity | 21,500 gallons water; 25 tons coal |
| Boiler pressure | 255 psi |
| Cylinder size | 27.5 inches (70 cm) dia × 30 inches (76 cm) stroke |
| Tractive effort | 68,300 lbf |
| Career | Chesapeake and Ohio Railway |
| Class | J-3-A |
| Number in class | 5 |
| Retired | 1955 |
| Restored | 1975 |
| Current owner | Iron Horse Enterprises |
| Disposition | Storage |
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).
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[edit] 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 Virginia, 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.
[edit] 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 Reading 4-8-4 2101, owned by Ross Rowland. This locomotive was rescued from a Baltimore scrap yard in 1976 and restored to service in a record twenty-eight 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, Mr. 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. For several weeks in January and February of 1985, 614 (now 614T, symbolizing it as testing) hauled coal trains between Huntington and Hinton, West Virginia. After the test runs, it was later returned to Baltimore under steam.
In 1992, Ross 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.
[edit] 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, Pennsylvania, and requires about $650,000 in repairs to return her to operating condition.
