About RJD America
Who We Are
RJD America LLC is a privately owned railroad equipment company specializing in historic equipment ownership, restoration management, fleet development, and heritage railroad operations.
Founded and operated by experienced railroad professionals, our organization combines decades of practical knowledge in steam, diesel, and electric locomotive operations; passenger and freight service; railroad safety; mechanical systems; technology; and regulatory compliance.
We are more than railroad enthusiasts. We are active and former railroaders committed to preserving historically significant equipment and preparing it for meaningful, responsible use.
Ownership and Project Responsibility
RJD America owns and manages Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Steam Locomotive No. 614, its auxiliary water tender, and a growing fleet of historic passenger and support equipment.
RJD America establishes the direction, standards, priorities, and long-term objectives for each project. Specialized mechanical, restoration, engineering, and regulatory work is performed in cooperation with qualified railroad contractors, service providers, suppliers, and industry professionals.
We also work with independent preservation and educational organizations whose activities complement—but remain separate from—RJD America’s ownership, management, and operational responsibilities.
Our Principal Undertaking: C&O 614
At the center of RJD America’s work is Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Steam Locomotive No. 614.
Built by Lima-Hamilton in June 1948, C&O 614 is a Class J-3a 4-8-4 “Greenbrier” and the last commercially built mainline passenger steam locomotive constructed in the United States.
Designed for demanding passenger service through the Allegheny Mountains, the locomotive represents the culmination of American mainline steam locomotive development.
RJD America owns C&O 614 and its auxiliary water tender. The locomotive is currently undergoing a comprehensive mechanical restoration and federally required 1,472-service-day inspection at Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services.
This extensive undertaking includes major work involving the boiler, firebox, running gear, driver tires, cylinders, braking systems, lubrication systems, appliances, spring rigging, booster engine, and other critical mechanical components.
The objective is not simply to make C&O 614 operational. Our responsibility is to restore the locomotive carefully, methodically, and professionally so it can return to reliable and meaningful service.
The RJD America Fleet
In addition to C&O 614, RJD America owns and manages a growing fleet of historic passenger, support, and railroad operations equipment.
The fleet currently includes:
RJDX2006, a former Canadian National executive business car
RJDX800451 “Defender”, a first-class lounge and sleeper car
RJDX1236, a baggage and support car being developed for onboard power and operational support
RJDX1223, a baggage car planned for future crew and support use
C&O 614’s auxiliary water tender
Additional specialized equipment required to support future operations
Each piece of equipment is being evaluated, repaired, rehabilitated, or modernized according to its intended role within the fleet.
This work may include braking systems, electrical power, generators, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, communications, onboard technology, crew accommodations, passenger amenities, structural repairs, and regulatory inspections.
Our long-term vision is to develop a coordinated and increasingly self-sufficient heritage railroad fleet capable of supporting:
Passenger excursions
Private charters
Special events
Educational programs
Public appearances
Railroad preservation initiatives
Mechanical and operational support activities
Learn more about the history, specifications, and continuing work on each piece of equipment by visiting our Equipment page.
Preserving History for Modern Operation
Historic railroad equipment must function within a modern railroad environment.
For that reason, RJD America’s work extends beyond traditional cosmetic or mechanical restoration. We are developing the systems, procedures, support equipment, technology, and organizational infrastructure necessary to operate historic equipment safely, responsibly, and reliably.
This includes planning for:
Contemporary railroad communications
Onboard technology and information systems
Passenger and crew safety
Regulatory compliance
Equipment reliability
Mechanical and logistical support
Positive Train Control and cab-signal compatibility where required
Modern electrical, climate-control, and passenger-service systems
Our objective is to preserve the historic character, appearance, craftsmanship, and significance of each piece of equipment while incorporating the systems necessary for dependable modern operation.
The RJD America Way
Every RJD America project is guided by careful planning, professional accountability, persistence, transparency, and respect for the people who originally designed, built, maintained, and operated this equipment.
We refer to this standard as The RJD America Way.
Restoring historic railroad equipment requires patience, specialized knowledge, substantial investment, and thousands of hours of skilled labor. Decisions must account for historical integrity, mechanical condition, regulatory requirements, operational reliability, and long-term stewardship.
We believe this work must be performed correctly and responsibly, with a clear understanding of the obligation that accompanies the ownership and preservation of nationally significant railroad history.
There are no shortcuts. Every component, system, and decision matters.
Education and Preservation Partnerships
RJD America works with qualified railroad contractors, mechanical service providers, preservation organizations, industry suppliers, historians, volunteers, and individual professionals who share our commitment to responsible railroad preservation.
We also maintain a partnership with the National Railroad Equipment Preservation Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization supporting railroad education, volunteer participation, skills development, public outreach, and the responsible stewardship of historic railroad equipment.
RJD America retains ownership, management authority, and project responsibility for C&O 614 and the RJD America equipment fleet.
NREPF’s separate but complementary role focuses on the educational, volunteer, workforce-development, and public-benefit activities traditionally associated with a nonprofit railroad preservation organization.
This structure allows each organization to concentrate on its respective responsibilities while working toward the shared objective of preserving railroad history for future generations.
Looking Ahead
Our goal is to create more than a static collection of restored railroad equipment.
We are developing an operational heritage railroad fleet that connects people with American railroad history through authentic machinery, craftsmanship, sights, sounds, and experiences.
As the restoration of C&O 614 progresses and the RJD America fleet continues to develop, we invite railroad professionals, historians, preservationists, industry partners, supporters, and members of the public to follow our work.
Together, these projects represent an investment not only in historic equipment, but in the knowledge, skills, infrastructure, and experiences necessary to keep railroad history alive.
RJD America — Preserving the Past. Powering the Future.