Western Maryland Scenic Railroad tells Trains Newswire today that it has acquired an F40PHR, rebuilt into an F40M-2F, No. 450, from Larry’s Truck Electric in McDonald, Ohio. The unit will be placed in service to help GP30 No. 502 pull heavy passenger trains from Cumberland, Md., on the Western Maryland grade to Frostburg, Md. Western Maryland Scenic GP30 “No. 501 is down with multiple issues, and No. 502 cannot pull the mountain by itself,” says Executive Director John Garner.
The unit started life as Amtrak No. 380, then Canadian American No. 450, before going to LTEX. Garner says the unit will get Western Maryland red and white circus colors, providing a provocative “what if” look for Western Maryland fans who might wonder what an F-unit scheme might look like on a more modern passenger unit.
Delivery is expected in coming weeks, and the railroad hopes to do a repaint before the line enters the busy autumn tourist season.
1. Who is to say that WMSR was funding 1309 out of the general operating fund?
2. Operational needs come before luxury wants. 1309 is a want. Needing another diesel in a hurry cuz 1 of your 2 GP30s is down and the other cant make the climb by itself is a NEED. An emergency need by the sounds of it.
3. Reread #2.
Of course they still need the money. We need to see 1309 in steam.
Well with the Western Maryland Scenic still in the process of Restoring Chesapeake & Ohio #1309, and 2 GP30s, 1 with mechanical problems and the other that can’t pull the train up the mountain by itself, then it’s great to see them aquire another locomotive weather old or fairly modern plus it’s good I think to see what an old RR paint scheme would look like on a more modern locomotive.
Recently I received a letter requesting a donation to help fund the completion of the steam locomotive . Looks like they don’t need any money now after this purchase .