News & Reviews News Wire Western Maryland Scenic offers 1309 behind-the-scenes event NEWSWIRE

Western Maryland Scenic offers 1309 behind-the-scenes event NEWSWIRE

By Angela Cotey | October 15, 2018

| Last updated on November 3, 2020


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CO1309testfireChaseOct2018
Western Maryland Scenic’s No. 1309 steams for the first time in 61 years.
Chase Gunnoe
CUMBERLAND, Md. — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, fresh on the heels of test firing the boiler of Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 on Oct. 3, is offering a chance to visit the shop and see the live boiler.

The railroad and contractor Diversified Rail Services will fire up again on Oct. 30 for a fundraising dinner that offers a chance to visit the project in a behind the scenes tour. Railroad Executive Director John Garner and Diversified’s President, Gary Bensman, will both be on hand to discuss the project and answer questions.

The event is 3 p.m. Oct. 30, and includes an exclusive look at the boiler in steam and a chance to blow the whistle followed by a diesel-powered dinner train at 6 p.m. The price is appropriately $130.90 per person. Order tickets here: public.whistletix.com.
The test fire in early October, the first time the engine’s boiler had been steamed since 1957, was the next step toward returning to operation the last steam locomotive built for domestic use in the U.S. by Baldwin in 1949.

After major funding ran out in fall 2017, wheel work continued as a result of donations from Trains readers contacted by direct mail. At the time, Bensman said a crew of 4-6 could finish the engine in six months if an additional $530,000 was raised. Work resumed in May after additional funding was secured, and the railroad continues to raise money for the project.

When completed No. 1309, will become one of the largest steam locomotives in regular service in America, and the only Mallet type in operation east of the Mississippi.

In a recent video blog post, Garner said newly profiled wheels for the locomotive will arrive soon and that boiler jacketing will go on next. He also said No. 1309’s remaining costs are around $300,000. Part of that will replace parts that were lost in a theft, and also a coal storage and ashpit areas at the shop in Ridgeley, W.Va. He said the railroad is creating a 1309 club and will release information about it soon. For more information, or to make a donation, go to www.wmsr.com.

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