Western Maryland Scenic Acquires C&O 1309

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 1:33 am

An announcement from WMSR's Facebook page:

On behalf of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, it's my pleasure to announce that #1309 is safety tucked away in the Ridgeley shops. With the acquisition phase complete, we can now begin an in-depth evaluation of her condition to develop more accurate timelines and cost assessments to begin her actual rebuild. I am very proud of how the B&O Railroad Museum, CSX Transportation, Hulcher Rail Services, and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad mechanical and press staff worked together so professionally to facilitate the damage and injury free loading and unloading of #1309. I would also like to thank CSX Transportation for donated move and use of one flat car, and TTX for the donated use of the heavy-duty depressed center flat car. Last but not least, are all those who photographed the move and have wished us well from literally around the globe, including the 45 countries where the WMSR has Facebook friends. Thank you to all for being a part of the start of this very challenging, but rewarding, rebuild project.

Michael Gresham
General Superintendent
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 1:44 am

Twitter photos via the WMSR's site of the unloading in Ridgeley:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtVRyM9CQAA6X48.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtVbJ1JCcAAZO1C.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtVcNifCMAEZpp_.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtVcnRQCAAAXT6P.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtVj4GeCQAAYeTl.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtVmy8bCIAAlOFI.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtVoC12CYAAZJWp.jpg:large

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 1:50 am

Some shots of the Plymouth CR-4 from the Facebook page:

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... e=5452490E

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 0289_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 1979_n.jpg

AndyPullen · **Joined:** Mon Oct 22, 2012 12:27 pm **Posts:** 33

J3a-614 wrote:

This project gets more fascinating all the time.

For instance, the detail photo of the front engine definitely reveals bar frame construction (a throwback feature, cast frames were common in new construction by 1949), and it's possible to see between the spokes of the drivers (and can we determine what kind of bearings are in there?) Overall the machinery looks pretty good, but look at the caked grease that's still there from 1956!

Looking forward to hearing this engine transition from simple to compound at about 10 mph, and to a particularly eerie hooter whistle in the Narrows. . .

Now, will she be painted for WM or for C&O? If for C&O, will she have the freight or the passenger paint scheme? What was the difference between passenger and freight schemes on the C&O? Passenger engines had polished rods, freight engines got painted rods. . .

Let the debate on paint schemes begin--but give me time to run to the bomb bunker under the Greenbriar!

From what I understand about these locomotives, they were copies of the other 2-6-6-2s that C&O already owned. It was 1949; why go with a full cast frame from Commonwealth? The pattern for the "bar frames" would have been much simpler to make than one of the one piece frames like the ones on the N&W A, J and Y-6 and the C&O H-8 and Greenbriars (many, many others as well). Yes, the bar frames were cast.

C&O was probably looking for a simple locomotive that wouldn't need to be re-engineered. Cost was an issue, I am sure. Buy something that is proven and leave off all the bells and whistles. C&O knew the diesels were coming.

I for one hope that they don't make her look like a passenger locomotive...1309 was a freight locomotive. Satin black paint all over. Bare rods. No white tires. Just personal opinion...WMSR will do what they want with her....It's another articulated that will be running. I'm happy about that.

Andy Pullen

David H. Hamley · **Joined:** Tue Aug 24, 2004 3:07 pm **Posts:** 705

Anyone know where that spiffy looking Plymouth CR4 came from? Only a handful were built, the B-B CR8 was much more common.

Flagg · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:10 am

The steam receiver pipe was already cut before the crew arrived to ready the engine for the move . A lot of other piping was cut in the asbestos removal of the 80's including most of the sander pipes and a 6 foot section of the firemans boiler feed line up near the boiler check. The low pressure exhaust pipe from the front engine to the smokebox was cut loose somewhere in the past also but the fitting was left under the smokebox thankfully. This is one reason the front engine was not slipped back under the boiler when unloaded. Much easier to work on the rear cyclinders,simpling vavle, flex joint and for some work on the front engine including repairing the steam pipe, before reassembly.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:14 am

David H. Hamley wrote:

Anyone know where that spiffy looking Plymouth CR4 came from? Only a handful were built, the B-B CR8 was much more common.

Mt. Union Connecting Railroad, where it showed up ca. 2003. Currently shop switcher for WMSR.

One online source says it was built in 1960, c.n. 6216, ex Mohawk, Adirondack Northern, exx Minerals Equip. (dealer), exxx Jones & Laughlin #7, and apparently a photo shows it spending a brief time at the Lowville & Beaver River as well.

WMSR · **Joined:** Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:25 pm **Posts:** 11

The locomotive Old No. 7 came from Mount Union PA.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:02 am

Not the East Broad Top itself, the Mt. Union Connecting Railroad, a putative "freight operation" over a renovated dual-gauged section of the former East Broad Top within Mt. Union. Different corporate entities.

Although, to be fair, the Kovalchicks seem to be amazing at finding oddball three-foot-gauge switchers and whatnot, so if they had a hand in procuring this locomotive, it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

YeOldeEnjine · **Joined:** Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:31 pm **Posts:** 329

I take these are the openings talked about earlier....

SZuiderveen · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 12:28 pm

AndyPullen wrote:

Dave Stephenson wrote:

Looks like they burned off the receiver pipe to get the LP engine out. Will this be a problem to repair/fabricate?

No. It won't. They had to do what they had to do. I am sure they have prints for most of the locomotive. Everything will be taken apart anyway.

Andy Pullen

Note: old torch cuts. These pipes have been cut since Russell, KY.

Like Andy said, this is an easy problem to fix.

Steve

FormD1282 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:07 am **Posts:** 17

Has the WMSR stated whether she'll be restored to her C&O livery or will she become a Western Maryland 2-6-6-2? Seems just about everything they have is painted WM whether it was originally or not.

YeOldeEnjine · **Joined:** Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:31 pm **Posts:** 329

As for the paint job, I guess we'll find out in 2016....... but it is the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, they are not a museum.

WMSR · **Joined:** Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:25 pm **Posts:** 11

Getting several questions about paint lately...... Here's the story for now... 1309 has just arrived in the shop we would like to take time to look her over and get an even better idea of the shape she is in. Once we do that we will be releasing more and more info. In the end we think you will be happy with our plans! She WILL be operational and won't that be exciting to see!

We are also just beginning a freight car restoration program. I WONDER WHAT WE WILL DO WITH THOSE? :) The first freight car has been restored and we are getting ready to begin the next one Saturday Aug 2, 2014 with a volunteer work session. Let us know if you would like to come out to help. Email Jody Shaw - info@wmsrf.org. You can see photos and info on the website listed below.

Follow the C&O 1309 restoration!
Join, Donate, Volunteer - WMSR Foundation
http://www.wmsrf.org

1309 shirts are for sale!
http://www.movingfullsteamahead.com/giftshop/details/1309t

We are also very active with our Facebook and twitter pages.
http://www.facebook.com/wmsrsteam
http://www.facebook.com/wmsrfoundation
http://www.twitter.com/wmsrsteamtrain

Jody Shaw
Media/WMSR Foundation Coordinator
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 30, 2014 7:17 pm

Looks like the teardown is starting--and does this locomotive fill up the shop! All photos courtesy of Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Foundation (Facebook page):

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 09a1d44a4d

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 5185_n.jpg

Bet this looks very familiar to anyone who's worked with steam:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 8931625e54

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 5992_n.jpg