Chesapeake & Ohio’s 614 “Erie Limited”

Published Jan 17, 2015 By Robert Blue

The Chesapeake & Ohio ordered a total of 25 of these so called “Northern” type locomotives beginning in 1935. They were actually being used by the Northern Pacific Railroad first and became known a “Northerns” due to their 4-8-4 wheel alignment.

Since the Chesapeake & Ohio was actually located in the east and south, they renamed the locomotive the “Greenbrier” , after the famous Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Built mainly as a passenger locomotive for C & O’s first class passenger trains, the C & O 614 is the only surviving locomotive out of the original 25 built. This 477,000 lb locomotive could reach speeds up to 70 MPH!

C&O #614 is pulling an excursion train called the “Erie Limited” from Hoboken, New Jersey, to Port Jervis, New York.

Quick Facts

Rail Line: Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad
Train Name: Greenbrier type locomotive #614 (Northern)
Power type: 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive Class J-3
Builder: Lima Locomotive Works 1948
Train type: Passenger
Location: New Jersey / New York
Locomotive and tender weight: 865,530 lbs

If you have ever seen the C & O 614 or a train like this let us know in the comments below! Would love to hear your experience on this classic piece of history!