The B&O Museum of Baltimore, MD, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and WMSR Foundation are going full steam ahead with even more exciting news of rail preservation! The transfer of C&O steam locomotive 1309 (2-6-6-2) to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad of Cumberland, MD will be an incredible milestone for steam operations in the USA! With this transfer, the B&O Railroad Museum and Western Maryland Scenic Railroad will be preserving steam locomotive history for generations to come. As one of the largest steam locomotives in the USA, this locomotive will be restored to its former glory and will be in operation on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. The Baldwin Locomotive Works built #1309 in September of 1949 as its last commercially built steam locomotive for use by a railroad in the USA. C&O steam locomotive #1309 arrived at the B&O Museum in 1972 and has been preserved and displayed for generations of families to enjoy. Today, May 6, 2014 at 13:09 (1:09PM) Western Maryland Scenic Railroad announced the transfer of #1309 for restoration and operation. Courtney B. Wilson, Director of the B&O Railroad Museum said “This historic agreement is a win-win for railroad preservation. It ensures the long-term preservation and restoration of an important steam locomotive which is central to our mission.” Mark Farris, President of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Board of Directors said “With the full support of the Board of Directors, the continued efforts of the executive directors, staff and employees of the WMSR have allowed for the growth and prosperity of our wonderful tourist attraction in Western Maryland. These efforts have provided the resources to give the WMSR the opportunity to acquire locomotive 1309, restore it, and place it back into service in a wonderful mountainous setting where thousands of people can enjoy the sights and sounds of a bygone era.” The locomotive has been moved to the B&O Railroad Museum’s restoration facility in preparation for shipment to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad shops. Once this is complete, the locomotive will travel by rail on specialized flat cars pulled by CSX. Don’t miss out on this incredible historic venture unfolding at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Cumberland, MD. Make sure you join the WMSR Foundation and are following our Facebook page for all of the most up to date info. If you would like to donate to the restoration of C&O #1309 you may contact the WMSR rail preservation group, WMSR Foundation, the where you can join, volunteer and donate to rail preservation projects. For more information go to our website or call 301-759-4400 Ext 130 or 800 TRAIN50 Ext 130. Enjoy the history at Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
http://www.movingfullsteamahead.com/news/view/restore_and_operate_c_o_1309_2_6_6_2 This is great news!
Maybe it is a crack in the "non steam" armor that CSX has been practicing. But maybe not, if they are moving it on "special designed flat cars" rather than dead-in-tow. I can't think of any C&O steam engines that have been restored to operation, other than Ross Rowland's 614. It will be interesting to see what comes of this. I certainly hope it can be restored to run on WMSR. Have read that they had checked the wheelbase to make sure it would fit on the Frostburg turntable, and it will. Hmmm, I did ride behind Nickel Plate 765 back in 1993 when it was disguised as "C&O 2765" through the New River Gorge.
I have read and heard from other sources that 734 is expected to be due for an overhaul in 2015 which is why 1309 will be restored now. Also, the passenger trains have grown over the years to where 734 can no longer get the train to Frostburg without helpers. 1309 is the largest locomotive they could get to both fit the Frostburg turntable and have enough umph to get a train there without having to toss one if their GP30s in the train. There has been some concern that 1309 will be modified to represent a WM unit, but I find it hard to believe that will happen. So much extra work to completely re-work the front end if that locomotive with that bulldog face of air compressors, low head light and high number boards and centered bell. Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
Pat- If 734 comes out of service in 2015, isn't this a rather tight schedule for having 1309 completed and back in steam? They must be planning on a massive effort in long, long hours, with a lot of people involved?
Right, it is a short time frame to work with. AFAIK, 1309 was the last steam locomotive out of Baldwin Locomotive Works. It ran somewhere around 6.5-7 years before being stored serviceable at Peach Creek Roundhouse in the area of Logan, WV. She sat there covered until 1972 when it was donated to the B&O Museum. It is cosmetically rough, but i think they are counting on its relatively "low mileage" to provide a maximum of reusable parts, solid boiler flues, etc. Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
Doubt it, 1309 would be logistically "rail-locked" to the WMSR. 734 was supposed to make an appearance in Petersburg, WV in 2010 with the Potomac Eagle in celebration of the South Branch Valley Railroad's (my former employer) 100 year celebration. Only around 12 miles from Cumberland to the SBVR interchange at Green Spring. Apparently there was a big snafu about that. AFAIK, CSX not only said no, but "H@$# No". They really missing out on a good PR and business relations move by banning all steam, period. Look at UP and NS, heritage paint schemes. UP steam program, NS behind getting 611 going as well as the TVRM steam locomotive touring the system last year. BNSF has been friendly to SP&S 700, SP 4449 and others... heard about rumored restoration of a GN locomotive with BNSF. CN, wasn't there a Soo Line locomotive running a couple years back (2719?). I suppose they could crack, they are the last major carrier specifically preventing the operation or travel of steam locomotives directly on rail. Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
I am thinking this is just media hyperbole. Probably existing cars, such as a depressed center flat car, (or?), with possibly some temporary fixtures welded on.
Should be able to get it on some sort if depressed center flat car. 1309 is not an especially large locomotive despite its brute appearance, 98' wheel base including tender. 1218, 3985 and 4014 all much larger than 1309. Looking forward to all of the pictures that should pop up when it is moved. Lots of foamers in the Baltimore -Cumberland region. Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
I'm less than 2 hours / 140 miles southwest of Cumberland. I'd love to volunteer, but it is still a little far away even for regular weekend work sessions.
Dunno how I missed this thread last year, but stumbled on this video today and just had to share it. Not only awesome views of 1309, but a near little Plymouth, some antique looking dozers and a GP30. Probably the best looking diesel EMD ever came up with.......
Their Facebook Page is more up to date on 1309's status. Their 734 is making its last runs now as it is due for major boiler work in 2016. I haven't heard anything negative about the progress of 1309, but she is in pieces right now. Still expecting a 2016 debut. Sent from my PantechP8010 using Tapatalk
There was a post on their Facebook page that they were ultrasound testing the boiler last week. Sent from my PantechP8010 using Tapatalk
