and now I'm picturing "what if Two Face was on thomas the tank engine"

Or, since we've got another 3 years or so until the 50th anniversary of the CSS, maybe Mr. Muller would consider a short-term repaint of sister T-1 2102 for a season in that paint scheme, as well as a few cars to simulate the front part of the train for some photo trips?

As a fan of the AFT, though I saw the train being pulled behind 4449, I'm extatic at the idea of a cosmetic restoration into her ATF1 livery.
The "I'd rather see her as _____" posts are always inevitable but I agree with those who have pointed out this loco will always be best known as the Freedom Train # 1.

Is it at all possible to restore this engine to operation without replacing almost everything?

The allegations of damage after the roundhouse fire in Silver Grove, Ky. in 1978 while the Chessie Steam Special was "on hiatus" have been nearly endlessly debated here and elsewhere in the past. Many insist the damage (or prospective damage) was real and made pursuing further restoration at the very least unwise and at worst a complete waste; others will allege that Rowland (and by extension William Howes of Chessie) simply seized the opportunity to trade Reading's "kitbashed" freight hog with then-celebrity status for arguably the most technologically advanced passenger steam locomotive then extant in North America (save only maybe for N&W 611), with the fire as the handy excuse. Of course, Mr. Rowland will no doubt chime in with his pontifications--but, you know, it was ultimately his decision, as was his right as owner, and I was probably happier to have had the chance to ride behind 614 when I did in 1981.

All of this aside:

We have one Reading T1 restored nicely as Reading in Scranton, another pounding its former home rails (or at least the routes) regularly in the Pa. hard-coal regions, and a third under restoration to operable condition in Ohio--out of a total of only 30 built.

How many is enough, dammit?

No question in my mind we were better having 614 operate... considering all those other T-1s also operating or preserved...

Incidentally, for "painting one side Chessie Steam Special', you paint one side and one end to match one scheme, and the other side and end to match the other. So any ¾ approach from one side gives you the full effect, and vice versa. I would for no particular reason other than vague preference want the front to be AFT, and the rear Chessie.

Live now:

A livestream of the American Freedom Train No. 1 move will be available here: https://www.youtube.com/live/THc9Co-m8k ... ePxnBL92Ov

"How many is enough, dammit?" -Alex #4
"As many as will operate and support the steam experience." -Glueck

I suppose there will be an immense groan when I beg the question, would restoration and operation of 614 be a better way to honor the B&O/C&O collaboration? If the locomotive is a modern and "sweet" as N&W 611, it certainly seems so.

But that is 'different', not 'better' -- although it could certainly be said that 614 is a more 'true' representative of a C&O-B&O bicentennial.

Correct restoration (e.g. with proper feedwater heating) and operation of 614 is itself a priority -- I would argue one of the highest priorities -- for modern-steam operation. But it isn't the C&O-B&O's concern any more. Let them fix what they traded for, and do it right according to agreement... and let's celebrate that.

The good news is that the B&O Museum is FINALLY getting around to taking this pool gal off public display (in the deplorable condition they've allowed her to get.) and will be cosmetically restoring her to her AFT 1.0 livery. About time.

The minor close clearance hit today was the 01's way of saying " there...that's for letting me deteriorate as you have" and I say well deserved.

Glad no one was injured other than their pride.

Let's hope they do a first rate job with her restoration.


Ross Rowland

The incident Russ is referring to happens just before the 47 minute mark of the video that the B&O RR Museum posted on Youtube and to which ADM4 linked to above.

This should be a direct link to that point in the video:
https://youtu.be/THc9Co-m8k8?t=2812

"... Enjoy the feat that has... unraveled in front of you."

They go to all the trouble to live stream the event and no one measures to see if they were going to clear the coach on the next track? Bonehead move. Was there room to shove the coach in a couple of feet to make sure it would clear? If not, they should have taken it to another track temporarily. From the reporting marks on the upper corner of the car it may not belong to the museum. Does anyone know if that was the former MARC heritage coach that was part of the 1968 RFK funeral train?

yeah I'm glad that #2101 is getting the work that it needs. I know that USA's 250th and B&O 200th but the question is if CSX would have steam run on their tracks for the B&O's 200th then which steamer? I know that many of you here would like to have the 614 restored as much as I would like to see that happen but there are other options I mean you have the Reading #2102 with some improvements it could handle the job well. other options are like Pere Marquette #1225 I mean the PM was part of the C&O. for the USA's 250th well there's a lot of options are there. the Question is would all the class 1 railroads let steam run on their tracks even for an event like the USA's 250th? I would like to think the answer would be yes but I wouldn't be surprised if the answer would be no! I mean I can't predict the future will not without certainty.

"How many is enough, dammit?" -Alex #4
"As many as will operate and support the steam experience." -Glueck
"All of them." -Trainlawyer