Steam Locomotive Fans

C&O #614 is a 4-8-4 Northern type locomotive, but C&O called it's 4-8-4s "Greenbriars". The Greenbriars were among the last new steam locomotives (and may have been the last) ordered by the C&O. They were powerful brutes, able to carry 22 car passenger trains up steep grades at fast speeds. They were also one of the very few classes of C&O steamers to not have the "Flying Pumps" scheme. They did, however, all have their headlights on their pilot decks, as did nearly all C&O steamers.

#614 was sold by Chessie System to the gentleman who owned the ex-Reading 2101 as a replacement when the 2101 was badly damaged in a fire. The 614 was restored and run on many Chessie Steam Special Excursions. #614 was also used briefly in 1986 on the Chessie System Railroad as a test to see if steam could be used again. This was due to a rapid increase in oil prices that year. The prices did go down though, and 614 was put back into storage. Shortly afterwards, it began running railfan excursions, mostly on NJT lines and lines in New York. The locomotive currently resides on the Reading & Northern RR. Iron Horse Enterprises has began working on 614 to make her operational for the upcoming "Yellow Ribbon Express" in just a few short years. 614 seems to have held up well against the elements and will soon ride again.

Modeling Tips:

Modeling 614 would be a toughy. No one has produced a Greenbriar in plastic that I'm aware of, but I'm sure some brass company has made one. Looks like you may need to scratch build this beast.