Steam Saturday: Just Now Leaving Willard

Chessie System 4-8-4 No. 2101 is westbound near Willard on July 2, 1977, after having sat for while before resuming its journey. The former Reading Company T-1 locomotive was making a ferry move from Cleveland to Detroit.  A week earlier on June 26 the 2101 had pulled a Chessie Steam Special public excursion roundtrip between Cleveland and Willard. After reaching Detroit the train would operate a public roundtrip excursion to Grand Ledge, Michigan, on July 9 and the next day operate roundtrip to Clio (Hoyt), Michigan.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Another Steam Saturday with Chessie 614

This looks more like a painting than a slide. Chessie 4-8-4 No. 614 is westbound near Mance, Pennsylvania, on July 11, 1981. The Greenbrier-type locomotive was built for the Chesapeake & Ohio in June 1948 by Lima Locomotive Works.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Steamy Memories for a Sunday

During the two years that the Chessie Steam Special ran hundreds of people came out to watch, photograph or ride the trains.

Here are two photos of the westbound Chessie Steam Special pulled by Chessie 2101 (ex-Reading 2101) in Nova on Aug. 19, 1978.

Notice how the interlocking tower didn’t seem to be leaning as much then as it did in later years before it was dismantled.

Photographs by Robert Farkas

Remembering Chessie 614

Remember when the Chessie System had a steam program? It may not have been as extensive as the Southern Railway steam program or the Norfolk Southern steam program, but for a couple of years in the early 1980s it received a lot of attention.

Here’s a favorite photo of the photographer that you may never have seen. Chessie 614 is eastbound in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on June 27, 1981.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Another View of Chessie 614

Roger’s Chessie System 614 image reminded me of a favorite image I took of her. It is July 11, 1981, in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, and Chessie 614 is heading west toward the former Western Maryland bridge.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

 

Railroading as it Once Was: When Chessie Ran Steam Trains to Promote Railroad Safety

Chesapeake & Ohio No. 614 departs Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in September 1980 with a Chessie Safety Express. Even with a bright yellow train this was still a show. Note the original station behind the 11th car.

Photograph by Roger Durfee