There's some ramblings going on the Brass collectors group, the convos have led to whats happening to the C&O 614, I realize its been repainted to promote the Greenbriar but whats the ongoing future for the engine? IE will it run again etc etc

I'll relay answers over.

As has been covered here countless times, the 614 is on public display in Clifton Forge,Va. at the COHS Heritage Center and will remain so until/unless CSX changes its no steam policy.

Thanks for your interest.

Ross Rowland

I understand CSX doesn't want steam over their rails AT THIS TIME. Like many things in the business world, we know company management cultures can changed over time. Just looked what happened over at Norfolk Southern. NS is back being Steam Friendly/Honoring Their Heritage at the moment. IT could all change over again depending on how the railroad is being operated at the management level.

Well since SOU 4501 isn't being painted Black.

Could we see the other "Green Machine" that is currently C&O 614 aka "Greenbrier Presidential Express" be leased out to Norfolk Southern as SOU 614 and maybe take part in NS 21st Steam?

Like N&W 611, I'm sure 614 is going to need some work in order to operate again. Southern Railway leased C&O 2716 and dressed up the locomotive to looked a Southern Belle.

Here's pictures and videos of C&O 2716 in excursion service on Southern Railway:

Chesapeake & Ohio 2716 At KRM
http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAc ... C09510.JPG

C&O/SOU 2716 At Norris Yard
http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAc ... C09467.JPG

Southern 2716
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/berkshire/co2716.jpg

Norfolk Southern's "Steam Power" SOU 2716
http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAc ... C09462.JPG

MTH SOU 2716 w/Southern Steamers
http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAc ... anawha.jpg

2716dtown10fix4youtube 1.mpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p870z8tNRgE

2716dtown12fix4youtube 1.mpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzzLOru-lB8

2716 is back at KRM as Chesapeake & Ohio 2716.

Now here's pictures and videos on C&O 614:

Chesapeake & Ohio 614 At VMT
http://wizzy.rrpicturearchives.net/pict ... C02544.JPG

N&W 611/C&O 614
http://lowtechtimes.com/wp-content/uplo ... 14_vmt.JPG

N&W 611/C&O 614 II
http://m2.i.pbase.com/g4/35/829935/2/14 ... dSnrgg.jpg

Chesapeake & Ohio 614 At CORHC
http://www.rgusrail.com/album/vacorhc/co_614_01.jpg

C&O/GBPE 614 Transformation
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2671117

C&O/GBX 614 Transformation II
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 928&nseq=3

Greenbrier Presidential Express 614
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... ve_-_1.JPG

Ross Rowland & 614
http://classiclights.org/614-GBX-CF-Nit ... 7-text.jpg

Chesapeake & Ohio 614 (Museum Tour), 07-30-2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUGLZqV-SuE

614 Reasons to Love CSX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se4pv-JEURM

Weather the engine traveling on CSXT rails, NS rails, or even NJT rails like many other steam locomotives it has following.

Do we think it's time to FIRE UP 614!?!?

Why would NS lease the 614? They didn't have any excursions this fall so they're already cutting back some and they already have 2 operating engines available (630 and 765) and will most likely have two more next year-ish (4501, 611).




While 611 is owned by a museum you'll have to convince Ross to fire up 614. Being privately owned you're not just going to randomly start a movement to get it done.

As soon as J32885's check for $ 2.0 million clears the bank AND CSX announces that it has changed its policies and will welcome mainline steam back on its lines we will immediately get busy putting the 614 through its mandatory FRA work up and get her back into service.

Seriously,as discussed repeatedly here and elsewhere until/unless there's a change in CSX policy she will stay on display at Clifton Forge where lots of folks get to enjoy her.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the folks at the COHS for the wonderful job they're doing of keeping her looking sharp and for providing her with a safe home during this stage of her career.

Best regards, Ross Rowland

Is there a reason that you view CSX as the ONLY option, or is it simply a matter of CSX obstructing transport from Clifton Forge?

What if, say, it were Pullman Rail Journeys, or the Grand Canyon RR, or--just to be fantastical--NS or Kansas City Southern?

We (well, most here) know the vagaries of NS wanting ex-NS-family locos, UP wanting only ex-UP steam, etc., but supposing someone in non-CSX turf gave this loco a full-time paying job? A long shot, to be sure, but.....

I myself contacted CSX about a mini-steam move for a an engine out east there to see their response and it was kind of "their afraid of steam" and safety. So the move didnt take place. So 614 is stuck till the attitude changes. She's giving the Greenbriar a public boost.

Just a note Ross, there's some passenger train excursion advertised on radio around Chicago running to New Orleans and back boasting "not a speed train, relax and enjoy"
so the "vacation train" seems to have its niche.

Good points by both ADM4th and dinwitty. No, it doesn't have to be CSX but it has to be an opportunity with sufficient longevity and revenue potential to justify the approx. $ 1.5-2.5 million dollar investment needed to put her through the full FRA work-up.

It's certainly possible ( albeit not probable) that a non-CSX scenario could arise that meets those critical parameters and we're always on the lookout for that.

It's also possible that someday CSX could do the 180 degree turn around we all witnessed at NS, but that too as of today is a hope not a reality.

Patience is a virtue. Hope springs eternal.

Thanks, Ross Rowland

From what I understand, NS is not cutting back the excursions, they just ran out of crews to pilot the Steam Trips due to an increase in traffic. I talked to someone (I cannot recall who at this time) but they said that NS is training new crews for the Steam Program next year. I also thank Ross Rowland and the COHS in Clifton Forge for their preservation of the 614, and here is hoping that one day she runs again!

614 in Clifton Forge isn't a bad setup. Mr. Rowland gets secure storage, and the C&OHS gets a genuine C&O steam locomotive for display, in the heart of C&O country.

I agree. It's "home". Clifton Forge was the Eastern end of the territory it was designed for. Now if someone could "rescue" C&O 2700 from it's slow death in Dennison, OH (sorry to the good folks there, but that's the truth, vandalism troubles and all) where it has absolutely nothing to do with the railroad history of that area, and the Allegheny from Baltimore, Clifton Forge would have a good, representative sampling of late C&O Steam power.

[/quote]
From what I understand, NS is not cutting back the excursions, they just ran out of crews to pilot the Steam Trips due to an increase in traffic. I talked to someone (I cannot recall who at this time) but they said that NS is training new crews for the Steam Program next year. I also thank Ross Rowland and the COHS in Clifton Forge for their preservation of the 614, and here is hoping that one day she runs again![/quote]

Crews for the locomotives were not the issue. The issue was PILOT CREWS for the various territories they would operate on. NS is not about to leave a revenue freight train sitting for lack of a crew while the crew that could have handled it is piloting the steam train.

UP went through the same thing with the huge number of pilot crews it took to move the 4014 from West Colton to Cheyenne. If the crew base is already stretched tight, a steam train is not something needed.

As has been pointed out, this incarnation of NS steam is not like the program of the '70s and '80s. Back then, they ran all kind of steam, whether it had any relation to the heritage of the NS or not. CP 4-6-4 or L&N 4-6-2 or Frisco 4-8-2 anybody? They are not doing that this time. The current program is much more tightly focused now than it was then.

From what I understand, NS is not cutting back the excursions, they just ran out of crews to pilot the Steam Trips due to an increase in traffic. I talked to someone (I cannot recall who at this time) but they said that NS is training new crews for the Steam Program next year. I also thank Ross Rowland and the COHS in Clifton Forge for their preservation of the 614, and here is hoping that one day she runs again![/quote]

Crews for the locomotives were not the issue. The issue was PILOT CREWS for the various territories they would operate on. NS is not about to leave a revenue freight train sitting for lack of a crew while the crew that could have handled it is piloting the steam train.

UP went through the same thing with the huge number of pilot crews it took to move the 4014 from West Colton to Cheyenne. If the crew base is already stretched tight, a steam train is not something needed.

As has been pointed out, this incarnation of NS steam is not like the program of the '70s and '80s. Back then, they ran all kind of steam, whether it had any relation to the heritage of the NS or not. CP 4-6-4 or L&N 4-6-2 or Frisco 4-8-2 anybody? They are not doing that this time. The current program is much more tightly focused now than it was then.[/quote]
Pilot crews is what I meant, TVRM/FWRHS supplies the engine crew and NS provides the others. Unlike in the old days when it was pure NS guys at the throttle.

Actually, take a look here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/117577302 ... 090/page2/

She has indeed been repainted in her original freight colors.

Thanks again ladies and gentlemen for the input. Someone a while back told me it SOU 4501 was going to get Green paint. After seeing other thread on the locomotive, now I realized it's BACK IN BLACK. I'm sure Team Green railfans will have to wait after the next rebuild. I was figuring well IF we can't have 4501 painted Green, we still got 614 which is already in Green.

I would gladly offer you $2.0 Million for the potential "Fire Up 614 Campaign" IF I HAD that kind of money. I take home $225.00 weekly working for Kroger. For a realistically donation at most I be willing to offer you Mr. 614 is $614.00 on the high end or to the lesser $6.14 on the low end.

In an ideal/fantasy world, CSXT could have the following steamers as part of their own version of 21st Century Steam:

Main Steamers
- Chesapeake & Ohio 490
- Chesapeake & Ohio 614
- Chesapeake & Ohio 1309
- Chesapeake & Ohio 1601 or 1604
- Chesapeake & Ohio 2716
- Chesapeake & Ohio 2789
- Pere Marquette 1225

Secondary Steamers
- Atlanta & West Point 290
- Baltimore & Ohio 25 "William Mason"
- Baltimore & Ohio 4500
- Baltimore & Ohio 5300 "President Washington"
- Clinchfield 1
- Western Maryland 734

Guest Steamers
- Milwaukee Road 261
- Nickel Plate Road 759 (American Railroads 759)
- Nickel Plate Road 765 (Chesapeake & Ohio 2765)
- Southern Pacific 4449 (American Freedom Train 4449)
- Reading 2101 (Chessie System 2101/American Freedom Train 1)
- Union Pacific 3985 (Clinchfield 676)

I'm very grateful that I got to see 614 back in 2012 after the LCCA Convention. Lionel Collectors Club of America held its yearly convention in Norfolk, VA. IF it wasn't at COHS in Clifton Forge, VA. I probably wouldn't have seen the engine at all. 614 could of still be in Port Clinton, PA alone and under wraps.

Once again Thank You All for responding. Enjoy! ^_^