The Baltimore and Ohio never had a 4-8-4 on its roster. Only three times did a Northern conquer Seventeen Mile Grade on the St. Louis main line. In 1977, former Reading T-1 2101 pulled a Cumberland, Maryland – Terra Alta, West Virginia Chessie Steam Special excursion. Once each in 1980 and 1981, the Chessie Safety Express repeated the itinerary, with former C&O 614 doing the honors. Here the 1981 trip attacks the heart of the grade at Bond, West Virginia.
