iReport —    It’s been more than 50 years since the C&O 614 steam locomotive pulled passengers out of Clifton Forge, VA. In late April of this year the 614, owned by collector Ross Rowland, finally made it back home and is on display at the C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge.   The town was a center of C&O operations for many years. Long enough for the town to prosper, grow, build a C&O hospital, and employ thousands of local residents who started families, built churches, and otherwise enjoyed a comfortable life. All that changed as railroad operations moved to more central areas. The town lost many workers and families and the once comfortable local economy gave way to stagnation and recession.   With the opening of the C&O Railway Heritage Center several years ago things seemed to have gotten better. The town has many new business, the outlook is upbeat, and the local Alleghany County Chanber of Commerce has launched a new initiative to highlight the tourism benefits of the Alleghany Highlands.   While the arrival of the 614 was a big milestone for the area, it was never intended to be a permanent fixture. But hopes were high that it would be here for a good while. She was cleanup up, the C&O colors of black and white were retouched and there was even a special night photo shoot which included simulated steam, theatrical lighting, and even models in 1950's period dress. The "Steam Under the Stars" photo shoot went well and hopes were high for another shoot in the Fall. However, recent news makes that unlikely and also makes the shots that were taken somewhat special if not historic. In the next two weeks the C&O 614 is scheduled to be repainted to green and gold to match the colors of the Greenbrier Resort line of railcars. She'll also be moved to the Greenbrier Resort in time for the Greenbrier Classic golf tournament in late July.   So we'll say goodbye to the C&O 614 once again and once again thank her for her service, this time as a backdrop to ...