Chesapeake & Ohio Kanawha 2716, currently being restored to operable status at the Kentucky Railway Museum, has been targeted for excursion service three times previously. In 1979, the Clinchfield leased the 2-8-4, but its steam program was killed before restoration could occur. The Southern, looking for a larger queen for its steam fleet, restored the 2716, placing it in service in October, 1981. In July, 1982, the Alco was found to have a cracked firebox and removed from service. As the NS merger unfolded, and N&W 611 became operational, the 2716 was surplus, and was placed in storage in Birmingham without being repaired.
The Fort Wayne Historical Society Eventually restored the 2716 to its C&O appearance and ran a few excursions in 1996. After these excursions, it was returned to KRM, where it resides today. Here the 2-8-4 rolls under an old highway bridge north of Nokesville, Virginia, a few weeks before being removed from service.
The Van Swearingen Brothers standarized freight power for their railroads with nearly identical 2-8-4 Berkshires. Two of these engines are still in excursion service.
