C&O’s #614 Amazing High Speed Pass

Published Aug 3, 2015 By Robert Blue

This 4-8-4 Northern Locomotive can bring it as she rounds the curve!

Listen to the sound of the train as it whizzes by in this short clip! Truly amazing!

The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway 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 as “Northerns” due to their 4-8-4 wheel alignment.

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 79 MPH!

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
Driver Diameters: 74 inches
Maximum speeds: able to pull 26 passenger cars at 79 mph
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!