Lionel # 2331100 "The Chessie" LEGACY Greenbrier #612

C&O President Robert Young envisioned a modern passenger service every bit the equal of his railroad's modern and efficient freight business. To fulfill this vision, the C&O placed a 48-car order to Budd in 1946 for a new premier train named "The Chessie." In addition to new equipment, the trains would feature such on-board amenities as credit card service, car hostesses, even a theater for the kids! Production delays held the train back until 1948. By then, the massive new steam turbine locomotives were already proving themselves too unreliable and the traveling public's preference for the automobile was taking a firm hold. The Chessie ran only a few months before quietly disappearing. Equipment was repainted and re-lettered in traditional C&O yellow and used on other trains. Streamlined Hudson locomotives also continued to serve on other priority passenger trains. There were many reasons for The Chessie's short tenure, but its memory endures as a testament to the pride, innovation and commitment of railroaders who continued to dream big. The Chessie may be a cat with 9 lives however! Most of the equipment would go on to serve other railroads and now it can live again on yours! In place of the troublesome turbines we're offering a special "what if" version of the C&O's Greenbrier 4-8-4. These modern locomotives would likely have become the power of choice for this premier train had it made it a few more years. Fast, powerful, and reliable, they were everything the C&O wanted for its passengers. A stylized Chessie version seems only natural!