In preparation for her becoming a display piece goodwill amassador for next years launch of the Greenbrier Presidential Express 614 is being painted into her new GPE livery at the COHS Heritage Center in Clifton Forge,Va. You are welcome to visit the site and witness the job in progress.

Also, as part of the build up to next years launch, her website http://www.co614.com has been updated and your visit is solicited.

To get ahead of the curve we understand and fully support CSX's ban on all steam operations and thus have no current plans for 614 to play any role other than as a stationary billboard.

Thanks for your interest.

Ross Rowland, President&CEO
Greenbrier Express Company,Inc.

Hehehe. :D

I have recieved a number of inquiries regarding visiting our Pottstown,Pa. shop to witness the GPE train in the making.

We allow visitors as long as you make arrangements in advance with Mark Baehm,our CMO ( mtbaehm@yahoo.com) and sign a liability release prior to entering the work space.

There are presently 34 men working one shift/ 5 days. By October 1 the force will have grown to 51 men working two shifts/5 days.

I would suggest waiting until late fall/early winter as right now we're near the end of the tear down stage and all's there is to see is tunnelled out interiors and scuffed up exteriors. In 60 days or so we'll be well into the rebuild stage and there'll be something worth while to see.

Thanks for your interest.

Ross Rowland, President&CEO
Greenbrier Express Company, Inc.

I love those vintage ditch lights on that steam locomotive.

What is the paint scheme going to look like? I'm guessing nothing close to what we are used to.

One question which I hope isn't taken as being inflammatory, but why do you support the ban on steam operations on CSX? I think most who read this forum can come around to understanding why they don't, but supporting it is different.

Fair enough.

Ross,

Any renderings of how the 614 is planned to look after the repaint?

Joe

I saw the News paper article on the GBX, the Locomotive is going to look very Green.

Below is the original artwork from which the paint job will be generated. The final product should be close to what is displayed below:

My thanks to Bob Lyndall for posting the Bob Lorenz art work showing her new livery. Since Bob did that sketch a year ago the word " Presidential" has been added to the trains name and that will be reflected in the finished job now underway at Clifton Forge.

The painting is being done by Chris McBride out of Roanoke who has done some really good work on locomotives in the VMT and the COHS.

I'm confident that when Chris and his crew are finished she'll look resplendent in her new scheme.

Ross Rowland

Very nice looking color.
Ross, do you think CSX will ever lift their band on operation steam on their lines again?

"Ever" is a very long time.

That's a great looking engine...even in primer!

Steve

This is off their web site.

When CSX realizes that a modern steam locomotive of their own heritage, roller bearing equipped, and handled by a competent crew, doesn't "bite back", they'll come around. It's in their public relations interest to recognize the attraction of "feeding the public".

Question to Ross, How come the Rods were not removed? So that the wheels could be painted, with out taking chances of the paint dripping on to the rods.