Former Norfolk & Western SD40-2 no. 6162 Begins Multi-Year Lease on Historic “Peavine” Line

KSHX no. 6162 at Ravenna, Kentucky, in October 2023, shortly after being re-lettered for Norfolk & Western. Photo by Casey Thomason, formerly Norfolk Southern Corp's photographer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2026

Former Norfolk & Western SD40-2 no. 6162 Begins Multi-Year Lease on Historic “Peavine” Line

IRVINE, Ky. — The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation (reporting mark KSHX) has entered into a multi-year lease agreement with the Cincinnati Eastern Railroad (CCET), a property of Regional Rail, for the use of Norfolk & Western SD40-2 No. 6162.

The agreement, which has been in development for several months, will place the locomotive into regular freight service on the Cincinnati Eastern’s former Norfolk & Western Railway mainline between Cincinnati and the quarry at Plum Run, Ohio. Known locally as the “Peavine” Line, the route is famous for its winding curves and challenging grades and was historically part of N&W’s Cincinnati District.

The assignment also carries historic significance: a locomotive originally built for the Norfolk & Western, restored to N&W black paint, will once again operate on a former N&W mainline. In the railroad’s heyday, the route hosted both heavy freight and passenger service, including the celebrated Powhatan Arrow.

KSHX 6162 was built in May 1978 by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division (EMD) in LaGrange, Illinois. It primarily hauled coal and merchandise freight into and out of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. In 1982, the Norfolk & Western and Southern railways merged to form today’s Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS), and N&W 6162 became NS 6162. The locomotive remained on the active roster for Norfolk Southern in Decatur, Illinois, until just days before it was officially donated to Kentucky Steam in June 2020.

The locomotive’s donation was spearheaded by former Norfolk Southern Railway dispatcher Ryan Markham, who recognized its historic value to the region. In the 1990s, locomotives like 6162 were frequently seen in Irvine, Kentucky, on run-through coal trains. The locomotive’s transformation from modern Norfolk Southern livery to the classic Norfolk & Western black paint scheme occurred in 2024 thanks to contributions spearheaded by former Norfolk Southern corporate photographer Casey Thomason.

KSHX 6162 departed Kentucky Steam’s campus in Irvine on March 5, 2026, when CSX Transportation picked up the locomotive at Ravenna, Kentucky, for interchange. After several days in transit, the locomotive arrived on the Cincinnati Eastern at Clare, Ohio, on March 10, 2026, where it will soon enter freight service.

Revenue from the lease will help fund mechanical repairs for the locomotive while supporting Kentucky Steam’s broader preservation mission. The agreement also helps meet the Cincinnati Eastern’s horsepower needs while ensuring the continued active use and preservation of historic railroad equipment.

“This partnership has been several months in the making, and we’re excited to see it come together,” said Thomas Bookout, a Board Member of the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation. “There’s something especially fitting about a former Norfolk & Western locomotive returning to work on a former N&W mainline. The Peavine is known for its winding curves and demanding grades, and the SD40-2’s 3,000 horsepower will be put to good use there, hauling freight over that territory. Just as importantly, this lease allows the locomotive to generate revenue that will help fund its own maintenance while supporting Kentucky Steam’s long-term preservation mission.”

“Regional Rail appreciates the opportunity to lease KSHX 6162 from the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation. Since acquiring the Cincinnati Eastern Railroad, Regional Rail has overseen substantial growth on the line. With the Purina Dog Food plant in Williamsburg Township set to become operational in the coming months, additional horsepower was required. Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation answered the call by leasing its N&W SD40-2 to the CCET,” said Don Craumer of Regional Rail.

At the conclusion of the multi-year lease, the locomotive will return to Kentucky Steam in operable, fully serviceable condition. As part of the agreement, the locomotive is expected to return in equal or better mechanical condition than when the lease began.

“Kentucky Steam would like to thank Norfolk Southern for the donation of the locomotive in 2020, CSX Transportation for transporting 6162 to the Cincinnati Eastern for this lease arrangement, and the many Kentucky Steam volunteers who worked diligently to prepare the locomotive for its move,” said Joseph Darby, President of Kentucky Steam. “The organization also extends its appreciation to the Cincinnati Eastern Railroad and Regional Rail for the opportunity to place the locomotive into revenue freight service in a mutually beneficial partnership,” added Darby.

The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation operates a rail preservation campus in Irvine, Kentucky, dedicated to preserving and interpreting the region’s railroad history while maintaining historic railroad equipment in working condition.

Media Contact: Drayton Blackgrove

D.Blackgrove@KentuckySteam.org

Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp.

499 Kirkland Avenue

Irvine, Kentucky 40336

Press Release: PDF

2026-05-13 Norfolk & Western SD40-2 no. 6162 Begins Multi-Year Lease on Historic “Peavine”

Download 6162 BEGINS MULTI-YEAR LEASE ON HISTORIC “PEAVINE” • 91KB

Norfolk & Western 6162 at Bluefield, WV, in July 1985. With the long hood originally designated as the front end, the locomotive was built with dual-control stands. Photo by Ed Painter Jr.