Kentucky Steam’s N&W SD40-2 No. 6162 Enters Freight Service

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   Kentucky Steam’s N&W SD40-2 No. 6162 Enters Freight Service
   

Published: March 24, 2026

By: Adam Burns

The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation announced March 23 that its restored former Norfolk & Western SD40-2 No. 6162 has entered a multi-year lease agreement to operate in revenue freight service on the historic Peavine Line in southern Ohio.

Under the agreement, the locomotive will be leased to the Cincinnati Eastern Railroad (CCET), where it will haul trains between Cincinnati and the Plum Run quarry—marking a rare and notable return of a heritage-painted diesel to regular freight duty.

A Working Heritage Locomotive

Kentucky Steam confirmed that No. 6162 will be used in active service over CCET’s former Norfolk & Western main line, a route long associated with Appalachian coal and local industry. The line—commonly known as the “Peavine”—today handles aggregates, grain, and other freight between Cincinnati and eastern Ohio, including the busy quarry at Plum Run.

The multi-year lease represents a unique partnership between preservation and shortline operations, allowing the locomotive to remain both historically significant and economically productive.  Rather than being confined to static display or excursion-only use, No. 6162 will continue the type of work it was built for—hauling freight—while wearing its classic Norfolk & Western appearance.

From Mainline Workhorse to Preservation Star

Built in May 1978 by Electro-Motive Division, the 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 was originally delivered to the Norfolk and Western Railway as No. 6162. It was part of a large fleet the railroad owned, totaling some 163 examples; the first batch, numbered 1625-1652 arrived between September, 1973 and July, 1974 while the second larger group, numbered 6073-6207 was acquired between February, 1975 and June, 1978.

Following the 1982 merger with the Southern Railway, forming Norfolk Southern Railway, it continued in service for decades across the eastern United States, primarily in coal service.  After more than 40 years of operation, the locomotive was retired and donated to Kentucky Steam in 2020.

In 2023, the organization completed a meticulous cosmetic restoration, returning the locomotive to its as-delivered Norfolk & Western black paint scheme—an effort widely praised among rail enthusiasts.

Strategic Move for Kentucky Steam

The lease of No. 6162 reflects Kentucky Steam’s broader mission to blend preservation with active rail use. Based in Irvine, Kentucky, the nonprofit has focused much of its effort on restoring Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2716 while building a rail-centered heritage campus.  By placing 6162 into freight service, the organization ensures the locomotive remains operational, visible, and relevant—while also generating revenue and strengthening industry partnerships.

The organization states 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.

Reviving the Peavine

For the Cincinnati Eastern Railroad, the addition of 6162 provides both additional horsepower and a historically appropriate locomotive for a line once dominated by Norfolk & Western operations.  The Peavine route—once a key artery for N&W—has seen various operators in recent decades but remains an important regional freight corridor linking Cincinnati with eastern Ohio industries.  Now, with a locomotive wearing its original N&W identity once again working the line, the partnership brings a fitting historical continuity to modern operations.

If you would like to support Kentucky Steam’s preservation efforts, or even become a member, please click here to visit their website.