C&O For Progress!



The second of two heritage schemed locomotives to be released by the CSX Huntington Locomotive Shops has escaped the paint booth and awaits finishing touches for pickup and delivery to the C&O Historical Society in Clifton Forge, VA. C&O 7534, formerly CSX 4617's notoriety was for being one of the last straight SD40 locomotives on the CSX roster as well as the last unit to retain it's original C&O scheme on it's carbody well into the 21st century, when it was finally painted into full CSX YN3 paint. According to a Trains article from February, the plan is to replace the traction motors and lease it to the Buckingham Branch Railroad which operates one of the former C&O lines between Richmond and Clifton Forge, VA under lease from CSX, placing the unit in active freight service. A big thank you to the members of the C&O Historical Society, and the employees of CSX and a huge thank you to the workers of the Huntington Locomotive Shops for making this happen!