1309

Due to COVID-19 we were forced to shutter operations and lay off much of our staff in March of 2020, resulting in a major loss of operating revenue. With limited paid staff and a small group of dedicated volunteers, we are making steady progress daily to reopen and completely reinvent the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad….

Sometimes on a long journey, it’s impossible to know just how far you’ve come until you’re almost at the end. And the long adventure of breathing life back into Western Maryland steam locomotive no. 1309 is nearing an important conclusion. Several years ago, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad undertook this massive endeavor with the goal…

From Trains Magazine: CUMBERLAND, Md. — The Emery Rail Heritage Trust and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad are pleased to announce the trust has issued a special mid-year grant of $50,000 to help complete 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 as part of the “Steam the Last Baldwin” fundraising campaign.The grant will go toward $150,000 needed to complete No. 1309, the last Baldwin built for domestic service in 1949. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is working to finish the $3.2 million restoration without interruption this year. Contractor Diversified Rail Services recently worked with Hulcher to re-wheel the locomotive and steam-test it. Work is underway to complete the running gear, back head piping, stoker, and hundreds of other final details necessary to complete restoration. Once in operation, the locomotive will be the world’s largest operating Mallet, a locomotive that uses its steam twice, and the…