All quiet since the big move was made last year. Anyone know of updates on when any work might start, or how the work will proceed?
AFAIK, they have it torn down right now. I've seen bits and pieces of info on Facebook and railpictures.net. They plan to have 1309 under steam summer of 2016, I think. 734 supposed to be due for a rebuild, I've heard they would put it out to pasture as they have outgrown the locomotive (which is why they got 1309, more power, no helpers). I've also heard they were going to rebuild 734 and keep it for backup.
I would hope they'd not retire 734. Do they still have something else (a diseasel) available as a backup? i would bet that if 1309 went down, a lot of potential customers would not come, as steam is one BIG reason they make the visit.
They have a pair of ex-Conrail GP30's dressed as WM units. They use them for back up and helpers to get 734 to Frostburg most days. The last time I rode, they only used 734 on the weekends. We rode on a Thursday behind the pair of GP 30's. 1309 is ideal as they expect it can pull the train without helpers and still squeeze on the turntable and Frostburg for the return trip. I was told they looked at a few other locomotives, but overall length limited the options.
I think I recently read where one of the key guys in restoration at the WM was let go, but can't remember where I saw it or his name. I think it was Dan something.
I saw an article where Dan Pluta, the CMO at WMSR was fired around a week or so ago. He has been there over 20 years, IIRC. No doubt that is a big hit in the progress of getting 1309 operational.
This is not good. For someone who has been there so long to suddenly be out, carries an odor of internal troubles. Usually it is either power, and/or money.
