Steam Train: Chessie System 614 at Frederick Jct 2

[rlgdestroyu]

@Chase1609 Dont the UP use those for air and electric power?

[bullfrog1954]

I WAS ON THIS TRAIN!!!! I'm one of the people hanging out one of the vestibules!!

[G0IMB]

@Chase1609 You don't ever need 'em with steam:-)))))

[Jerrysway]

Right, the diesel loco's were not helpers, but after a few mishaps or other problems the steamers hed they didn't like being stranded. So UP decided to take large SD's along just in case, they were never powered up. So actually that was more weight the steamers had to pull with their impressive power.

[DerrickLouie]

@Chase1609 No worries. I agree though that it ruins the appearance of the train with a big diesel behind it. There was nothing worse then seeing a hideous Amtrak P42 behind the Daylight 4449 a couple years ago.

[DerrickLouie]

@Chase1609 The UP didn't use helpers locomotives back in the 80's and 90's either genius. Plus they are federally mandated so if the Chessie 614 was actually still being used, then it too would have to have them.

[ooGAMINGoo]

i dont think any really knows how powerful 614 really is

It pulled at 22 car train unassisted at 79 mph

[rwhitenight]

@e44e33 By any chance do you sell DVD's of your train observations?

[e44e33]

Yes.  Railhead Video dot com

[Xantec]

@Chase1609

filmed in the 80s, diesel helpers were not required back then, and even now, if you look at a modern video, say 4449 or 844, you'll notice the diesel is actually not powered up. they're there only if for any reason (broken down train ahead of the steamer for example) they have to put the fire out, the diesel is there to push the loco to the destination.

[UnIonPacCheyenne]

@Xantec There is was no "requirement" for diesels on any stream excursion, either then or now. The UP chooses to place a diesel on steam excursions as backup power for going up grades. The 614 didn't need backup power even for excursions in the late 1990's due to its high HP output. The 614 is a much more powerful locomotive than either the 844 or 4449.

[shininghappyperson7]

well the D&H 4-8-4s were still stronge locomotives they could haul up to 30 passenger cars on the bridge line route to canada (a very mountonous area).and i still love the D&H for there record breaking consolidation 2-8-0s and ground shaking 4-6-6-4 challengers.

[UnIonPacCheyenne]

Well, I'm sure the D&H 4-8-4's were nice locomotives, but they were not in the same class as the 5000+ DBHP C&O J3a. The J3a's were the most advanced 4-8-4s made.

[shininghappyperson7]

@UnIonPacCheyenne yeah i just have a thing for the D&H its my favorite railroad.....whats yours?

[UnIonPacCheyenne]

The D&H 4-8-4s had much smaller and less powerful boilers that the huge C&O 4-8-4s. The D&H's had around 5900 sq.ft. total heating surface, while the C&O's had nearly 8000 sq.ft. total heating surface (about the same size as the Big Boy!!)The 614's boiler is simply huge for a 4-8-4. Remember, the 614 pulled this same train up the 17 Mile Grade, which hits 2.7% in places. I don't know of another 4-8-4 that would even attempt such a feat.

[shininghappyperson7]

what about D&H 4-8-4 northerns?they were very heafty locomotives

[shininghappyperson7]

phhhhhhhhhhhsssssss what ever .alco locomotives are the best built. American Locomotive Company locomotives rock!

[UnIonPacCheyenne]

Show me a single ALCO built 4-8-4 that can pull the tonnage and produce the high speed HP that the Lima built 614 can do. Have fun looking, because you are not going to find one.

[oiiSTEVEiio]

VILLIUS AND SJK QUESTION MARK

[UnIonPacCheyenne]

The C&O 614 has 1000 more horsepower than the UP 844, but more importantly, it has 20,000 lbs. more tractive effort and a higher adhesion rate too. That's why it dosen't need helpers. Just an incredible design. Lima truly made the finest steam locomotives.

[OldsVistaCruiser]

Being from the Philly area, I was a Baldwin man until I saw this incredible machine.

I stood in its cab back in 1996 while it was waiting (under steam) for the CSX escort at Warminster, PA after its rebuild by the New Hope & Ivyland.

Don't forget that Lima invented "Super Power".

[FatSeal45]

@OldsVistaCruiser wel baldwin did make the reading t1

[GSpro]

Damn what a powerful loco. That was quite a long train. Isn't 614 sitting down in Port Clinton PA now?

[jimbo2317]

I think so, but I'm not sure.

[acdc9902]

When the whistle was on the 614 it was mounted up front and blown with superheated steam. On the 2101 it was at the back of the boiler and (wet steam was used). Thats the difference you hear.

[WSOR10C]

oh... so thats the whistle they used on the ohio central 6325 during its first couple of runs

[stanier6233]

That is the whistle from 2101 from the chessie steam spl. Custom made for Bill Howes Jr of Chessie System using the notes supposedly from the k5la. Its one of a kind!

Said to be made in stainless steel. Awesome sound! Sure miss hearing it.

[WSOR10C]

it sounds like the reading 6 chime it wore while it ran in new jersey

[Engineer5344]

that is the whistle from 2101 that ran the chessie steam special back in 78.

[amtraklover]

you sure because i thought that 2101's whistle was deeper than that.

[Engineer5344]

2101's whistle was deeper, but when it got burned in that roundhouse fire, i think the heat from the fire did somethin to the whistle, and so now it sounded high pitched. and thats also why you don't see alot of steam come out if it when it blows on 614. boy i wish we could hear that whistle today.

[Strasburg1991]

did they scrap the whistle

[Engineer5344]

i have no idea of what became of it

[rredwards]

Is that the special whistle that was designed to sound like the K5LA horn?

[WSOR10C]

what whistle is that?

[hoolg]

Man, she does have one screamer of a whistle.

I'm accustomed to the groan of the single tone N&W 1218 & the raspy tone of N&W 611. Nothing wrong with something different though.

Nice vid!