Steam Saturday: Father’s Day with C&O 614 on NJT

Ross Rowland greets passengers boarding an excursion in Hoboken, New Jersey, to be pulled by Chesapeake & Ohio No. 614.

In cooperation with New Jersey Transit, Ross Rowland was able to run Chesapeake & Ohio 614 on passenger excursions during two weekends in June 1997.

The train ran from Hoboken, New Jersey to Port Jervis, New York.

We were greeted at the ex-Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Hoboken terminal by the robot from Lost in Space, who was promoting passenger safety and, possibly, to be aware of space aliens. Rowland also greeted passengers.

After departure we soon were on ex-Erie Railroad trackage. Even though the NJT was on a weekend schedule, the excursion did not interfere with commuter trains with 614 able to stretch its legs with running at track speed.

During the layover in Port Jervis, Rowland had a surprise arranged. With this day being

Fathers Day, a group photo of the fathers aboard was staged in the turntable pit with C&O 614.

Article and Photographs by Edward Ribinskas

C&O 614 in Hoboken with the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City in the background.

On the turntable in Port Jervis with a message to all the fathers in the audience.

Hey dads, time to gather for a group portrait.

Tags: steam locomotives, New Jersey Transit, steam excursions, C&O 614, Hoboken New Jersey, Chesapeake & Ohio 614, Edward Ribinskas photograhs