Chesapeake & Ohio No. 377 is a 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler" type steam locomotive that was built by Burnham, Williams & Co., in Philadelphia, an early incarnation of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, for the Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie Railroad in 1902 as #108.
Shortly after buying the locomotive, the R&MR was merged into the Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad. In 1909, the CC&L went bankrupt and was subsequently purchased by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway.
In the 1930s, it transferred to Clifton Forge, VA, to work on the James River Line, hauling passenger and freight trains between Eagle Rock and New Castle on the Craig Valley Branch until it was retired in 1952.
No. 377 was due to be scrapped, but the city of Logan, WV, asked if it could be "aged" for the anniversary celebration of the first C&O locomotive to arrive at the city in 1904. The C&O obliged by installing an oil headlight, flanged stack, cylinder head stars, a wooden pilot and an old style paint scheme.
After the anniversary, C&O coupled it with ex-Hocking Valley wooden combine #409 for display and to work as a good will ambassador for the railroad.
It was occasionally steamed up before being permanently relocated to the B&O Railroad Museum in 1971 where it now sits on static display to this day.
Trivia[]
- It is the oldest surviving steam locomotive to have operated on the C&O.
- During the 1920s, #108 was renumbered #1108 and, in 1923, became #377.
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