The locomotive is known most for serving as the last C&O-painted locomotive in active service as CSX SD40 No. 4617. The locomotive was retired from service several years ago after being repainted from C&O into CSX’s similar blue-and-gold ‘YN3’ scheme.
Now, the locomotive is being restored to its original paint before headed to Virginia.
“We are restoring the engine back to its former C&O paint scheme and making any minor cosmetic repairs that may be necessary,” says Laura Phelps, manager of media relations at CSX, in a statement for Trains News Wire.
The restoration work is taking place at the railroad’s Huntington Locomotive Shops in Huntington, W.Va., one of CSX’s largest former C&O facilities in the region.
Phelps says the railroad does not have an estimate for when the paint and cosmetic work will be completed.
Once the locomotive is restored as C&O SD40 No. 7534 and towed to Clifton Forge; the society plans to lease it to the Buckingham Branch Railroad for revenue freight service.
Rob Catlin, project manager at the C&O Historical Society, tells Trains News Wire that the arrangement with CSX No. 4617 is a win-win-win for all organizations.
Catlin says that CSX can make the charitable donation, the society can lease the locomotive to the Buckingham Branch to help with its motive power needs, and the society can use the rental income to help reduce the operating deficit at its Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge.
Catlin says that one of the few things keeping No. 4617 from being returned to service is the rebuilding of its traction motors. Ideally, once it is restored as No. 7534, it would serve as local road power for the Buckingham Branch tri-weekly local between Staunton and Clifton Forge – a former C&O route.
No. 4617 arrived at the Huntington shops early last fall after being transported dead in tow from Cumberland, Md.
Glad to see this happening. But nothing new for the Buckingham Branch RR…….it has leased GP 7 #101 (RF&P) from the Old Dominion Chapter NRHS to augment its power needs for a number of years now.
OK, I have read this article three times and am still looking for the word exclusive. Not all of us read historical society RR news Mr Caramella. I for one am great full for the info I get from the newswire.
You’re right, Mr. Caramella. Heads need to roll! Riots in the streets! The very core of society as we know it is at the brink. How will we all survive?
Now if only CSX could start doing this with some of their current diesel fleet (ala NS and their Erie Lackawanna/Southern units)
Thank you CSX.
Good news, it will look classy once again. Are their any B&O units restored to original paint?
The best way for a complex machine such as a locomotive (or a car, plane, etc.) is for it to be operated occasionally for their intended purpose. The quickest path to deterioration is to park in place and not use them. Indeed, this does sound like a win-win-win as the article describes. Thank you CSX for recognizing the importance of preserving some 2nd generation diesel power!
Sorry Mr. McWilliams, cant tell you how to survive. Much to exclusive
What exclusive? This has already been reported by the C & O Historical Society.
I imagine hauling freight three times a week, puts some extra liability on a historic piece? Seems kind of risky to me…