When I rode this in 1980-81 they were using yellow RRP cars-at least in the mid-Atlantic. I got to ride behind the 614 on America's first railroad-B&O's (now CSX) Old Main Line! INCREDIBLE trip!
I remember the Chessie Steam Specials in the 1980s, first the the ex Reading 2100 class, and then the 614. We really moved, but not above 60 mph. What I do recall, even 8 nor 10 cars back in the open window coaches, we really got sooty, and cinders. Seats got dirty, as did us and all our cloths. IT was fun, but I could really see why train travel was so dirty at one tine. Air conditioning, and of course Diesels fixed that problem.
thats what call high speed rail transit!!! haha if she can do 125 i dont see why the buy up about two miles of straight level track an shatter mallards record into a billion peices
Too many steam excursions these days are held at needlessly low speeds due to insurance regulations and fear of lawsuits - not this one, baby - this is what I call a train - thanks for this awesome video - the whistle sends chills up and down my spine - you can tell from the wheel noise that this dude is trucking - I think the 79 mph speed limit went bye-bye with this one!
You should take a look at the Northeast Corridor - right here in the Philly area, there are speed limits posted on those tracks of 105 mph.
The Acela Express hits speeds of 150 mph in RI & MA - it's capable of 165 mph, but the damn FRA won't allow it because it shares tracks with slower trains.
As someone else posted, it's a shame that many steam locomotives are operated at a relative crawl today compared to the speeds at which they were designed to operate.
that isn't a bad idea, let's see, who's going to pay the insurance (really, I don't think anybody could afford it), not to mention, even in the 1930's Steam locomotives weren't allowed in New York City.
Steam was outlawed in NYC tunnels effective in 1908. The 1903 law (to take effect in five years) also outlawed internal combustion engines. It permitted electricity or compressed air. The law was passed because of a horrible accident in a smoke-filled tunnel.
A law was passed to outlaw all non-electric motive power city-wide effective Jan. 1, 1926, but that was repealed in 1930.
Other than possible boiler explosions, I don't see why a steamer would be more expensive to insure than a diesel.
Usually, the excess pressure is relieved either through the release valves. Or the excess pressure puts a hole in something and that relieves the pressure. Very seldom do boilers actually go boom.
dito. but to the railroad owners cost outways beauty. which i gues makes sence, running diesels and electrics requires less teaching, more speed, lower costs and higher defitioncy. god that sucks. oh well, maybe the rarness of the steam locomotive helps us arpriciate it more.
WOW!! My first main line steam trip was when they ran RDG 2102 as D&H 302 from Hoboken to Binghamton and return. We ran at 79 MPH all along the DL&W Cutoff BEHIND A READING T-1!!!. What a ride!!!
Wow, he was really flying. That had to be 80+mph right?
Thank you for uploading these videos. I live in Suffern Right across the street from the Eire main and I remember these trips from when I was 8 years old.
I recall Mr. Rowland having a tendency to nudge that speed limit a bit coming through campbell hall. I was on one of the trips, 1997 I believe, (don't remember the year, I was about 6 or 7 years old), and I distinctly remember my grandfather timing the mileposts coming downgrade on the way back to Hoboken through Campbell Hall and saying "We just hit 90"
I would have liked to see that, though I highly doubt it occurred. 79 mph is an FRA regulation, and I believe NJT had an engineer in the cab at all times making sure all railroad rules were adhered to.
Between '96 and '98 I rode 6 or 7 times and chased all but 2 of the remaining trips and never saw any speeds approaching that. Fastest mile I timed onboard (in the same area this clip is from) was in the mid 70's.
It's public knowledge I thought that it hit 79-80 mph.
buixrule 3 weeks ago
That can't be 70 mph. It looks like freakin' 85 or somethin'. Damn!
STICKGUYMB 3 months ago
When I rode this in 1980-81 they were using yellow RRP cars-at least in the mid-Atlantic. I got to ride behind the 614 on America's first railroad-B&O's (now CSX) Old Main Line! INCREDIBLE trip!
bullfrog1954 4 months ago
Now available on DVD. See link above.
typebangin 4 months ago
Damn....
indie1361 5 months ago
Dose anyone know if she is done being overholded and is running again yet? They started back in may. I really want to see her this time out.
IIIJFRIII 6 months ago
Wow power of steam that is so majestic...
Nbuilder1 9 months ago
Steam engines need to be put back in service. When they are up front then its a real train
Olddog231 11 months ago
WHAO, talk about world's fastest train
Zillion43 1 year ago
HOLY SHIT LOL, OWNED.
IIIJFRIII 1 year ago
I remember the Chessie Steam Specials in the 1980s, first the the ex Reading 2100 class, and then the 614. We really moved, but not above 60 mph. What I do recall, even 8 nor 10 cars back in the open window coaches, we really got sooty, and cinders. Seats got dirty, as did us and all our cloths. IT was fun, but I could really see why train travel was so dirty at one tine. Air conditioning, and of course Diesels fixed that problem.
rail64 1 year ago
seems like a long drag. really nice camera work!
rocksmeller99 1 year ago
thats hauling ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jdubbjazzbass 1 year ago
thats what call high speed rail transit!!! haha if she can do 125 i dont see why the buy up about two miles of straight level track an shatter mallards record into a billion peices
darkhound891 1 year ago
@darkhound891
TheBeechingAxe 9 months ago
DAMN!boy are you luckie the only time ive seen that locomotive was at port clinton in pieces.kudos to the engineer LET HER RIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shininghappyperson7 1 year ago
I love how she just glides by; no effort whatsoever.
SR722 1 year ago
she can out run a diesel any day
racerboy23432 2 years ago
Haulin! That's the only word to describe it! 5 stars!
penguingeneral2 2 years ago
look at it go its hauling ass
racerboy23432 2 years ago
She's doing what she was built to do, outrun a diesel!
1971Copperhead1968 2 years ago
NJT Comet coaches? Wtf?lol
fafnir242 2 years ago
What a machine!!!
deloreanman14 2 years ago
HOLY CRAP THATS FAST
shininghappyperson7 2 years ago
OH YES...absolutely incredible....614 forever..
scott93257 2 years ago
none does it better than ross.
bnsf261 2 years ago
We NEVER exceeded the spped limit, I swear!!!
chessie614bob 3 years ago
Ok, we believe you (wink,wink). Me thinks the speed limit went out the window on this part of the run, but I won't tell the FRA if you don't.
UnIonPacCheyenne 3 years ago
Just a little bit. Nobodys ratting anybody out.
1225dude 2 years ago
Yea, just a little bit like 10-15mph. But is was for a great cause, and what the FRA doesn't know won't hurt them.
UnIonPacCheyenne 2 years ago
and its only illegal if you get caught right?
1225dude 2 years ago
Just look at the lines of Northern Illinois....We shoot FRA agents ON SIGHT.
Hiei2k7 2 years ago
You shouldn't swear, damnit! ;-)
Nice ride!
AshburnStadium 2 years ago
Too many steam excursions these days are held at needlessly low speeds due to insurance regulations and fear of lawsuits - not this one, baby - this is what I call a train - thanks for this awesome video - the whistle sends chills up and down my spine - you can tell from the wheel noise that this dude is trucking - I think the 79 mph speed limit went bye-bye with this one!
96calud 3 years ago
WHOA, super fast! 5*****
EverywhereWest 3 years ago
even amtrak dosnt run that fast anymore! good to see that there are still some steamers that are allowed to go this fast!
Nec1228 3 years ago
You should take a look at the Northeast Corridor - right here in the Philly area, there are speed limits posted on those tracks of 105 mph.
The Acela Express hits speeds of 150 mph in RI & MA - it's capable of 165 mph, but the damn FRA won't allow it because it shares tracks with slower trains.
As someone else posted, it's a shame that many steam locomotives are operated at a relative crawl today compared to the speeds at which they were designed to operate.
OldsVistaCruiser 2 years ago
that isn't a bad idea, let's see, who's going to pay the insurance (really, I don't think anybody could afford it), not to mention, even in the 1930's Steam locomotives weren't allowed in New York City.
WildGuy00000 2 years ago
Steam was outlawed in NYC tunnels effective in 1908. The 1903 law (to take effect in five years) also outlawed internal combustion engines. It permitted electricity or compressed air. The law was passed because of a horrible accident in a smoke-filled tunnel.
A law was passed to outlaw all non-electric motive power city-wide effective Jan. 1, 1926, but that was repealed in 1930.
Other than possible boiler explosions, I don't see why a steamer would be more expensive to insure than a diesel.
OldsVistaCruiser 2 years ago
Boiler explosions are rare.
Usually, the excess pressure is relieved either through the release valves. Or the excess pressure puts a hole in something and that relieves the pressure. Very seldom do boilers actually go boom.
Jemalacane 2 years ago
i think these steam trains should be put on the rails for full use not just for tour rides cause it shames their beutiful glorry
nobodykh 3 years ago
YES!!!!!!!!
3254man 3 years ago
dito. but to the railroad owners cost outways beauty. which i gues makes sence, running diesels and electrics requires less teaching, more speed, lower costs and higher defitioncy. god that sucks. oh well, maybe the rarness of the steam locomotive helps us arpriciate it more.
chikenpicken123 3 years ago
Not speed. This is like a gentle stroll for 614.
3254man 3 years ago
WOW!! My first main line steam trip was when they ran RDG 2102 as D&H 302 from Hoboken to Binghamton and return. We ran at 79 MPH all along the DL&W Cutoff BEHIND A READING T-1!!!. What a ride!!!
RDG484 3 years ago
whew! hustle muscle
monty5329 3 years ago
Wow, he was really flying. That had to be 80+mph right?
Thank you for uploading these videos. I live in Suffern Right across the street from the Eire main and I remember these trips from when I was 8 years old.
ThatYankeeKid 3 years ago
The track speed here is 79 mph. I'd guess they're probably going at least 70 mph.
typebangin 3 years ago
I recall Mr. Rowland having a tendency to nudge that speed limit a bit coming through campbell hall. I was on one of the trips, 1997 I believe, (don't remember the year, I was about 6 or 7 years old), and I distinctly remember my grandfather timing the mileposts coming downgrade on the way back to Hoboken through Campbell Hall and saying "We just hit 90"
ThatYankeeKid 3 years ago
I would have liked to see that, though I highly doubt it occurred. 79 mph is an FRA regulation, and I believe NJT had an engineer in the cab at all times making sure all railroad rules were adhered to.
Between '96 and '98 I rode 6 or 7 times and chased all but 2 of the remaining trips and never saw any speeds approaching that. Fastest mile I timed onboard (in the same area this clip is from) was in the mid 70's.
It makes for a nice story though.
typebangin 3 years ago
Is 79 mph a regulation for all railroads or is that just the track speed.
3254man 3 years ago
@typebangin I've been up to 88 mph on the Atlantic City line, so I wouldn't be shocked.
mj1234321 1 year ago