C & O no. 614

[Anonymous]

We rode behind 614 several years ago to Pt. Jervis. Hope to see her in action again. Is there any chance that West Virginia could use her for excursion service out of Huntington?

[Anonymous]

Wasn't suppose to be sold at acution to Reading and Northern?

[AntonioFP45]

Hello, Mr. Rowland (CO614)

I rode the Operation Lifesaver excursion from Tampa to Dunellon in Febrauary 1981. I was a 17 year old NRHS car host on the train,car #5 (tall black spanish kid with the glasses). It was enjoyable meeting Engineer Steve who proudly showed me around the cab. This was a dream come true for a railfanning teen! The trip was wonderful and memorable. I was able to tape record most of the 614's whistle and cylinder "music" from the sound car. There was some additional excitement on the trip. (including when one of the tenders somehow separated from the rest of the train and the 614 literally TOOK OFF while we went into emergency braking. One young lady slightly injured her arm, I think. An ambulance arrived near the point where we stopped. I helped her off the train. There were no complaints from the passengers though and we were soon underway. Later on, we were joking with a couple of members of the 614's crew that the engineer must have noticed that 614's load "suddenly felt extra light!"

The photo run by later on, was breathtaking! I also remember that we stopped at a small town to fill up the tenders with water, courtesy of the town's fire department! It was gratifying to see the many people came out along the main line to watch us go by. 614 indeed really was the "Star of the Show". The reception at Dunellon was indeed a happy affair with good food.

I have many photo prints of the 614 and the trip. I'm going to have several of the shots scanned. I plan on posting them on this forum (once I learn how to do it!).

It's amazing how this country has changed in just 20 years. I do hope that the insurance industry and well as the Class 1roads make running steam excursions more affordable again.

Thank you so much for the wonderful experience and memories!AFP45.

[co614]

614 is currently being stored at Port Clinton, Pa. on the Reading&NorthernRR. We are in discussions with three different entities regarding their hosting 614 as a display piece. We are hopefull of making a decision on which of the three will be the winner by early spring and to have the engine moved and cleaned up and on display by this summer.
If as and when liability insurance rates ever come back to earth we'll take a serious look at returning her to service.
I'll post our decision on this site.
Best regards, Ross Rowland

[espeefoamer]

I just saw 614 for sale on ebay last night![;)]

[truckin-on]

According to a post on the OGR forum, the thread for which which can be reached at:

http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=63160042&f=46660482&m=962002426

"614 is still in Port Clinton, PA. She was put there with an agreement between Mr. Rowland and Mr. Muller. She was to be stored inside the engine house, but the price was a bit to much at the time, along with Mr. Rowland having his mind on moving her some place different. He is currently working with the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, PA to get her put on display there. He hopes to have her moved at the beginning of this year, but admitted that NS's cooperation may delay or cancel this. Current plans are to keep the locomotive in the newly built/under construction roundhouse (for the Pennsy K4 4-6-2 1361 still in pieces in Steamtown.) Once there is a long term supply of financial backing, he hopes to put a little under a million into her to get her back running. His long term goal is to have her running trips on the Harrisburg to Pittsburg mainline, but with today's cost of insurance and the non-steam raolroads, it is currently just a vision. She should be polished up and displayed at the Altoona Railfest this October."

OGR has a great "Prototype" forum as well as a very active 3-rail forum:

http://www.ogaugerr.com/forum.htm

Dave

[Anonymous]

Regarding the testing refered to that was done on 614, I recommend reading a copy of the book 'The Red Devil and other tales from the age of steam' by David Wardale. This book was published as a first edition in 1998.
Chapter 6, in the book, covers the test done with 614 in detail. David Wardale was an active participant and consultant in those tests. Various ACE development senarios are covered along with all the technical background on the tests your heart can handle.
This is an excellent volume for those really interested in the development of new steam. It is highly technical, but written in an understandable language by one the two two men who made a last attempt to prove steam worthy.....and they did. The 614 tests were an important part of this.

John Vincent

[Anonymous]

The Reading and Northern is in Hamburg, PA. near the Berks and Schuylkil County lines. Rtes 61 and I78. As for the 614 being there thats news to me, it's not listed on their web page. I know they have an old Reading T1 thats in storage and ex Blue Mtn and Reading Pacific #425 (which I have ridden behind in '93 at the NMRA convention).
Benz

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by traingeek087

Is it being stored there? and where is that at? Is that a secondary railroad or a shortline?

It's northof Reading. It is stored[:(]. The railroad is a shortline.

[Anonymous]

Last I had heard was the Barnhardt Auction in 2001 as well. I have a few pics of her from a freind from a few years back. she matches up with all (or most) class 1 standards, and could probably take over an Amtrak train on her own (if need & fuel be)
yes its sad she isn't running.

[tree68]

I believe Mr Rowland has been on the forums (co614). Maybe he can bring us up to date.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, barbarosa, for your update. The RFD channel aired a program about the 614 but I was only able to see the first half hour of it. Rowland had sensors all over that engine!

[Anonymous]

The tests were a success,but the railroads never came through with the needed financial help,and the project died.

[Anonymous]

Isn't this the engine that Ross Rowland used for the ACE 3000 project? Does anyone know what the results of that project was?

[traingeek087]

Is it being stored there? and where is that at? Is that a secondary railroad or a shortline?

[Anonymous]

It's on the Reading & Northern. They don't own it.

[Anonymous]

Last I heard it was being placed on auction and no one came up with the minimum bid. What a shame it's not running as it's a beautiful engine and really performs

Roger

[traingeek087]

Does anyone know what happened to C & O 614? I was looking of some photos of it and sort of wondered. Is it in storage? A shed? Scrapped? - hopefully not.