Western Maryland Scenic Acquires C&O 1309

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:32 pm

Posted Saturday on Trainorders: ultrasound testing underway.

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,3868933

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:26 pm

I thought they would be much further along by now. Isn't it needed by this upcoming spring to replace the 734?

Finderskeepers · **Posted:** Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:26 am

They are still looking at April 2016 for a date to be operational, as per their Facebook page.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Oct 23, 2015 10:41 pm

In other news, they are seeking volunteers:

http://www.movingfullsteamahead.com/new ... volunteers

Quote:

In order to boost foundation membership to benefit the restoration of the 1309 steam engine, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Foundation is seeking volunteers to help restore the steam engine. Donations are also needed to complete the project in time for the 2016 season. The 1309 was acquired to replace the 734 steam engine, which will be retired at the close of the 2015 season. There are a number of additional projects for which volunteer help is essential. In other cases, specific items and parts are needed to complete the various projects.

In addition to the restoration of the 1309, the WMSR Foundation will be constructing the C&O Caboose bunk house to accommodate volunteers visiting from outside the area. On weekends at the WMSR rail yard, there will be the Freight Car Rehab program. This program will include rehabilitating and repainting the freight cars. There is also the Heritage Landscape Program, through which signals will be installed at Helmstetter’s Curve, the Frostburg Depot, and City Junction near The Narrows.

In November, there will be a coach clean-up to clean and detail the train cars. This will include decorating the cars for the holiday season. At the beginning of 2016 there will be a clean-up at the rail yard. The turntable booth at the Frostburg Depot requires work, including some mechanical work. Also at the Depot and other locations, solid step box foundations will need to be constructed for the Photo Freight platforms.

Items such as vintage luggage from the 40s and 50s, period clothing, and period newspaper reproductions are needed. Supplies for the bunk house project are required, including lumber, stove or heating unit, air conditioner, mattresses, ceiling fan, and fluorescent light fixtures. A 2’ x 5’ projector screen is also needed.

The WMSR Foundation is also seeking volunteer car hosts for the 2016 season. Car hosts will need to complete training and pass background checks. These positions involve assisting guests in the train cars during train excursions. All volunteers must become foundation members before they can participate in volunteer activities. Potential volunteers and donors should visit movingfullsteamahead.com for more information and to find out how to get involved. Potential volunteers may also complete an application at the station. Foundation membership applications can be found at the ticket office on the second floor of the train station, located at 13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD.

TrainWatcher · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:36 am

I'm sorry if I missed it, but why is WMSR retiring WM 734? Or is she due for a 1492 inspection?

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2015 5:52 am

TrainWatcher wrote:

I'm sorry if I missed it, but why is WMSR retiring WM 734? Or is she due for a 1492 inspection?

The latter, plus work involved to make sure it passes. It's simply intelligent to plan for it to be down 2 years or so.

hullmat991 · **Joined:** Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:12 pm **Posts:** 232

Any updates on 1309?

bringback1218 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2016 7:34 pm

From what I saw on their twitter feed it won't be ready until late July.

CO 2666 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:13 pm

A friend sent me this link to a nice photo-compilation of the 1309's more recent restoration progress. Although the pictures are more 'artistic' than anything else, I still though that it would be worth it to share them here. Also, they are very recent seeing as that they were just posted earlier today (June 3, 2016).

http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2016/0 ... e-1309/#26

Best,
-Andrew

hullmat991 · **Joined:** Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:12 pm **Posts:** 232

Thanks for the link. WMSR is one of the most secretive groups out there; so finding out any new information is always welcome.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

CO 2666 wrote:

A friend sent me this link to a nice photo-compilation of the 1309's more recent restoration progress. Although the pictures are more 'artistic' than anything else, I still though that it would be worth it to share them here. Also, they are very recent seeing as that they were just posted earlier today (June 3, 2016).

http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2016/0 ... e-1309/#26

Best,
-Andrew

Andrew - Thanks. The 26 photos were interesting and very informative.

Les

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Jun 04, 2016 7:45 am

see also:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bal-re ... video.html

(Note: possible paywall blocking....)

hamster · **Posted:** Sat Jun 04, 2016 9:38 pm

From those photos, IF they are recent (a month old?), the 1309 won't see steam until July, 2017 at the earliest, probably 2018.

hullmat991 · **Joined:** Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:12 pm **Posts:** 232

So the pictures got me wondering if Akron Rail Club had any updates and they did. https://akronrrclub.wordpress.com/tag/co-1309/

PennsyPride94 · **Joined:** Sat May 14, 2016 7:03 pm **Posts:** 10

hamster wrote:

From those photos, IF they are recent (a month old?), the 1309 won't see steam until July, 2017 at the earliest, probably 2018.

I completely agree. After having spoken with officials and senior volunteers from there I will be surprised if the 1309 is steaming in the summer of 2017.

With the culture of secrecy they have and maintain at the WMSR (which I don't blame, since info gets misappropriated daily in the steam railroading forums) I don't expect any updates until the project really gets pushing towards its first hydro test.