1977 Chessie Steam Special, The

Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Magazine, Sep 2002 by Howes, William F Jr

Although on-line railroad historical organizations were invited to help market, sell and staff the excursions, Chessie defined the territories to be visited, train schedules, operating procedures, accommodations and fares, on-board services and promotional activities. The railroad prepared press releases, media advertising, posters, flyers, and ticket stock. It also oversaw the design and content of all on-board handout materials and branded retail items.

Upon completion of repairs and painting of the 2101 at Saucon Creek, the engine and six cars ran to Philadelphia and then Baltimore on April 23, 1977. Representatives of the press were invited to ride and were treated to a dramatic photo run-by across B&O's Susquehanna River Bridge.

The train was officially dedicated during ceremonies at the B&O Railroad Museum on April 30th when a jar containing waters from Chesapeake Bay and the Ohio River was smashed across the rear coupler of the train's observation car.

The maiden revenue trip of the Chessie Steam Special got underway at 8:30 AM, Saturday, May 7, 1977, to traverse B&O's historic route to Ellicott City. Passengers made a brief visit to the former mill town and a museum housed in a depot nearly as old as the railroad. The excursion proceeded to Frederick Junction for photo run-bys and then to Point of Rocks en route on a circle tour that brought it back to Baltimore via Silver Spring.

Thus began the six-month odyssey of the 1977 Chessie Steam Special, By the time of its 47th and last trip on October 16th, more than 24,000 people had ridden the train, with another half million observing its passing at trackside. Operating over lines of B&O, C&O, and Western Maryland, the train covered ten states and the District of Columbia. The Special was used effectively by the railroad's traffic and operating officers to entertain customers and showcase the Chessie System. This included a Chessie Shippers Special between Baltimore and Martinsburg, West Virginia, on May 20th for the exclusive use of the road's traffic departments. Likewise, Chessie's public relations and government affairs officers used the Special to spread the company's message among the media, legislators, and community leaders. On at least one occasion, several members of Congress (including a future Vice President, Dan Quail of Indiana) and their families enjoyed an outing aboard the train. But perhaps most gratifying was the interest and participation in the Chessie Steam Special project by the railroad's employees and their families. Some volunteered their time and talents, while many others rode the trains and often brought along their neighbors. As hoped, it had a unifying effect on the diverse Chessie family and put a personal "face" on the new Chessie System in on-line communities and businesses.

Although bedeviled from time to time with mechanical problems on No. 2101, especially toward the end of the season, the project was judged a success. With the enthusiastic endorsement of Mr. Watkins, it was extended for a second season in 1978. &