HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — CSX Transportation has repainted a General Electric C30-7 locomotive into the “Family Lines” paint scheme of predecessor Louisville & Nashville, completing a cosmetic restoration of the locomotive for the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp., which will display the diesel at its facility in Ravenna, Ky., a former CSX rail yard.
“CSX has been an excellent corporate partner over the years, and this is another example of how they have shown a commitment to helping us tell the story of railroading in Appalachia,” Kentucky Steam President Chris Campbell said in a press release. “We are grateful to all the employees who have contributed to this project. CSX has proven time and time again to be a first-class organization.”
The locomotive, built in 1980, was one 44 C30-7s ordered by L&N. Retired by CSX in 1999, it was repainted by CSX’s Huntington Locomotive Shops into the colors of Marshall University and used at university events. In 2017, it was donated to the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society. When the society looked to liquidate some assets, Kentucky Steam negotiated the diesel’s donation for display at the Ravenna complex, where it plans to make it an interactive display as part of the development known as “The Yard.”
“As we develop our attraction, we feel that it’s important to pay homage to the various eras of railroading that have been important to the Appalachian Region,” said Campbell. “This locomotive will honor a relatively recent era, one in which several of our members actually participated.”
Former Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2716, undergoing restoration by the 501 c(3) non-profit, will be the headline attraction at the facility.
A dedication ceremony for the diesel will be held later this summer. It will be displayed during Kentucky Steam’s “Engineer U” program offering visitors a chance to learn to operate a locomotive, and during summer visitor hours to view progress on No. 2716. For more information, visit the Kentucky Steam website.
One of my all-time favorite locomotives. Too bad it’s not operational.
Is that an original builders plate I see?
Sweet. A B36-7 in original SBD paint would look nice next to her.
Is it Operational?
It can’t be. The radiator intakes are covered.
Those are from my childhood.
Great job CSX! I cannot recall any units restored to Family Lines System livery.