The Chessie System launched a series of steam excursions in the late 1970s to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Baltimore & Ohio.
Later Chessie used its Chessie Steam Special to promote grade crossing safety.
Being located on the primary route of the B&O between Chicago and the East, Northeast Ohiuo hosted visits from the Chessie Steam Special.
Bob Farkas caught one of those at Lodi on what is now the CSX New Castle Subdivision.
The image was made in either 1977 or 1978 and features former Reading Company 4-8-4 No. 2101.
Wrecked cars from a derailment were still on the site on the day the steam special passed by.
In reviewing a schedule for the Chessie Steam Special posted at https://themetrains.com/chessie-steam-special-timeline.htm it might be that this image was made on June 26, 1977, during a public round trip between Cleveland and Willard or on July 2, 1977, during a ferry move of the train from Cleveland to Detroit.
The 2101 was back in Northeast Ohio on Aug. 12-13, and 19th on trips that would have put it through Lodi.
That included a ferry move from Columbus to Cleveland on Aug. 12, and round trips between Cleveland and Willard on Aug. 13 and 19.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Tags: Baltimore & Ohio, Chessie Steam Special, Chessie System, Lodi Ohio, Reading 2101, Robert Farkas photography, steam locomotives, steam specials
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