Western Maryland Scenic Acquires C&O 1309

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2017 3:55 pm

Could not this easily be solved by a temporary repaint for a month or so? They do that all the time at Colorado lines for photo specials.

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:04 am

Have you given any thought to the possibility that they had not yet chosen what to paint on the locomotive when they were soliciting those contributions?

And is the paint on the tender sides the only thing that matters to you? Is the 200 tons of C&O steel under it just there to hold up the paint?

Among my friends we have a running joke that railfans are only interested in paint and whistles/horns, and the older I get the more that becomes a truism.

co614 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:48 am

NYC 1115's nit picking reminds me of a similarly small minded foamer who came up to me at Buffalo,NY shortly after we arrived with the NKP 759 powered Golden Spike Centennial Limited and berated me for having the nerve to paint the locomotive and train in a blue & gold paint scheme designed by Bob Lorenz.

His sole concern was that the NKP " never painted their locomotives blue" and he went on and on. He obviously was oblivious to the major accomplishments of 1. restoring the locomotive to active service,2. getting the industry's buy-in to a steam powered celebration train that hosted nearly 200,000 visitors during its 2 week journey across 2/3rds. of the continent and 3. the thousands of his fellow Buffalo citizens that had come down to the depot to be part of the whole celebration.

All he could see or cared about was the blue color.

I learned then and there that our industry/hobby has a small percentage of looney tunes and that the only thing you can do is to ignore them.

You can't fix stupid. IMHO-Ross Rowland

Reading 900 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:27 pm **Posts:** 118

But it's still a C&O engine restored from the dead, charging up the mountain. They'll be foamers taking pictures and video without paying into it. Some people forget that steam engines run on cubic dollars, without which they just rust away somewhere, with the old railroad name still painted on the side.
Wish I could get down there to buy a ticket and ride it! If I remember correctly it's a compound, isn't it? Built new in 1948 or so and only 7 years on the boiler. Fantastic!
Alan

bigjim4life · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2017 12:48 pm

If I don't get down there to ride it, I surely will take part in one of the first photo charters and pay/contribute that way...

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

Meh, Strasburg repainted the N&W 4-8-0 to Strasburg number/name, but fairly recently gave it the full retro makeover to N&W livery. Whatever WM does credit them to bring this engine to life anyway they do it.

Train99 · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2010 5:49 pm **Posts:** 25

Rekt.

fixologist61 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:29 pm **Posts:** 50

I usually sit in the shadows. but this personal unprovoked attack just pissed me off.

Quote:

Why don't you dig into your deep pockets and make a donation to 1309? Since your hideous green 614 won't be turning a wheel within the next century, at least there will be one ex-C&O engine running. Otherwise, just keep patting yourself on the back for accomplishments from 30 or 40 years ago (that were done with a lot of other peoples' money)

I'm hoping the moderators take some action.

Thank You.

Donald Cormack · **Joined:** Fri Dec 17, 2010 2:41 pm **Posts:** 166

nyc1115_wv wrote:

Here's a little information for you, Ross. I ain't a stock broker and the most I ever made in a year is $35K (income now well below $20K). I've spend thousands of dollars in my lifetime on rail society memberships, project donations and excursions--even yours.

As I said before, I don't have a problem with them painting the 1309 for the Western Maryland, but I do expect full disclosure when someone is asking me for money. With your history of failed projects maybe you should consider that.

Why don't you dig into your deep pockets and make a donation to 1309? Since your hideous green 614 won't be turning a wheel within the next century, at least there will be one ex-C&O engine running. Otherwise, just keep patting yourself on the back for accomplishments from 30 or 40 years ago (that were done with a lot of other peoples' money).

One additional item: thanks for your use of insulting and condescending terms such as "small minded foamer", "looney tunes" and "you can't fix stupid". I understand that you and others on this board may not agree with my sentiments, but it's always surprising to see how fast those in the "industry" resort to such language.

I would submit that those who play with 1:1 scale trains--particularly when other people are footing the bill--are the real foamers.

^Millennial^

co614 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2017 8:50 am

Dear Sir, Now knowing that you were a paying guest makes your nonsense easier to accept. The customer is always right...even when they're not.

I'm pleased that the C&O 614's current livery meets with your disapproval....we must be doing something right.

Be honest....are you the guy who berated me on the platform in Buffalo in 1969 for the 759's blue & gold livery???

We're saving the best for last and I can't wait to witness the " paint scheme means everything" cliques's reaction to the livery we've devised for the steamers & cars. It will be a classic.

Happy New Year to all. Ross Rowland

P. S. The best kind of money is OPM.

steamfan765 · **Joined:** Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:30 am **Posts:** 184

hey Ross Rowland I'm a fan of yours I think anybody who meet you is a privilege you're railroading royalty. Do you have any luck with the Yellow Ribbon Express? Anyway I think 1309 can do the job very well it would be an amazing sight to see. I believe having it as a C&O and not a WM even though it's a pretty much new locomotive and they can do what they want with it. I can only imagine seeing a double headed trip with 734 and 1309. I have a question how will they be able to turn the engine around since it won't fit on the turntable? do they have a wye track?

fixologist61 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:29 pm **Posts:** 50

I reread Ross's post. if these lines truly bother you i wish you well in life because your feelings are going to be hurt all the time. I agree with Hot Metal as they most likely have not yet even confirmed totally a lettering scheme.

484Mike · **Joined:** Wed Mar 27, 2013 3:55 am **Posts:** 173

steamfan765 wrote:

I have a question how will they be able to turn the engine around since it won't fit on the turntable? do they have a wye track?

The 1309 will fit on the turntable in Frostburg and in Cumberland they do have a wye.

Mike

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2017 9:38 am

When we started on J&L 58 two years ago, what we were going to put on the side of the saddle tank was the last thing on my mind. Originally it was unlettered, but other J&L locomotives did have "Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation" spelled out on the tank. But our operation is also known as the "J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad". So what to do? Leave it blank or choose one of the two other names? The decision really has not been made yet because at this point my focus is on frame and running gear.

The point being, for many of us in the restoration field, we focus on things that matter and are made of matter. Paint and lettering usually do not become important until much later on in the restoration.

Dave Lewandoski · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 5:58 pm **Posts:** 1083

Ft Wayne seems to have done quite well over the years running 765 with a different road name and numbers. I'd love to see a PRR engine out there running, in it's original color and numbers, but if a different color and number would help pay the bill to get one hot, I could live with it. I'd still know it's true heritage...better than rotting in a park dead.