STRASBURG, Pa. — A new year brings new resolutions. For RJD America LLC, a group of railroaders and businessmen who purchased Chesapeake & Ohio No. 614 in 2024, its 2026 resolution hopes to go above and beyond the ongoing restoration to return the Class J3a 4-8-4 to service.
2025 recap
In an interview with Trains.com, General Manager and Communications Director Jason Johnson recaps 2025 as a period of disassembling, evaluating, and cataloging components, the moment No. 614 arrived at the Strasburg Rail Road’s shop facility back in June. “The cab is off the boiler, all the superheaters and tubes are now out of the boiler for needle scaling, both air compressors are off and now disassembled, and the appliances are being taken apart,” he summarized.
A recent headliner Johnson points out is replacing 1,500 flexible staybolts. While the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) condemns these below 65% of original metal thickness, RJD and Strasburg’s Mechanical Department raised their internal threshold to 75%. With 45 employees in the department and all the necessary machinery in-house, the team is committed to a top-to-bottom restoration that meets the highest standards.”When this locomotive goes back together, we want it to be just like when it came out of Lima-Hamilton back in 1948, if not better,” said Johnson.
In 2025, Strasburg also welcomed the supporting rolling stock from RJD America for No. 614’s future operations: auxiliary water tender No.614A, former Canadian National business car Pacific Spirit, and two Budd-built baggage cars of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. One of the baggage cars is confirmed to serve as the locomotive’s new tool car. The use for the second baggage car is being considered as either a crew car or power car.
2026 resolution
RJD America and Strasburg are looking to carry 2025’s momentum forward. Highlights for No. 614’s continued restoration this year include:
- Extensive firebox sheet replacement.
- Jacking up the locomotive for the running gear and trucks to be pulled out and thoroughly rebuilt.
- Developing a dual-Positive Train Control (PTC) system that incorporates both I-ETMS and ACSES.
Meanwhile, the fleet of cars and RJD itself will receive significant attention and expansion.
The Pacific Spirit is confirmed for a repaint this year, with substantial work planned for the baggage cars and auxiliary tender. Negotiations are underway to acquire additional passenger cars, with the ultimate goal of evolving the support fleet into a full excursion train.
“We recognize that the days of engine for hire, like how Fort Wayne [Railroad Historical Society] used to do it, it doesn’t work well anymore,” Johnson explained. “You need to own your passenger cars or have a really good agreement because that’s where the money is to support operating a steam locomotive. You want a train that can handle 600-800 seats to make it financially work.”
RJD America, currently the corporate entity owning No. 614 and the cars, plans to work with an existing non-profit to offer excursions. More details are expected at a later date once all the agreements are in place.
While these extra initiatives present a challenge to keeping No. 614’s restoration in sharp focus throughout 2026, Johnson believes they are essential for the locomotive to have the necessary support when operations begin. Despite a delay in relocating the 4-8-4 from Clifton Forge, W.V., last year, the project’s timeline remains on schedule for a completion goal set for Summer 2027. Johnson stresses that while it is a goal, the ultimate “guarantee is that when it comes out, it’s done right. That’s the guarantee that we give people.”
Visit the Chesapeake & Ohio No. 614 website for more information on supporting the project, including the all-new “Buy A Staybolt” program where each purchase of a retired flexible staybolt and original cap funds a one-for-one replacement on the locomotive.
