Restoration of No. 1309 replaces stolen parts; fundraising moves forward (corrected) NEWSWIRE

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Using funds donated by Trains magazine readers, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has picked up the 12 drive-wheel journal boxes for steam locomotive No. 1309 to replace those stolen in an employee theft two years ago. Meanwhile, the fund-raising drive launched by Trains in the March issue has surged to within almost $60,000 of its $100,000 goal.  

Railroad officials and Gary Bensman of Diversified Rail Services, the contractor on 2-6-6-2 steam locomotive No. 1309, retrieved the parts Tuesday and test fitted them Wednesday.  

The former employee pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny in Mineral County, W.Va., circuit court and was sentenced on Jan. 10, 2020 to one to 10 years in prison suspended, according to court records. He was given 30 days of active incarceration with work release. His sentence includes full restitution in the sum of $251,000 and 100 hours of community service, but court observers say it is unlikely the railroad will receive any money from the person.   

“That was a dark day for us — for me,” says Western Maryland executive director John Garner. “The employee was highly trusted and was a leader with us at our shop complex. I never expected this situation to occur. At the end of the process, there are no real winners. We have lost time, valuable efforts, and funding on the 1309 Project and the former employee has lost respect. We have taken steps to ensure this situation will not happen again.  Looking forward, I am humbled and blessed by those individuals believing in this restoration project through their notes of encouragement and donations — some individuals making multiple donations.  Simply shared, this project has been an incredible undertaking and steam will return to the Western Maryland’s high iron because of Trains Magazine readers, along with others, who continue to believe and support the endeavor. Thank you!” 

More money must be raised to put the Diversified crew back to work full-time on No. 1309 and to provide for water, coal loading, and ash removal.  

Trains readers generously have made donations donated $5 and $10, $500, and $2,000, and one gift of $25,000 to the effort to steam the last Baldwin locomotive built for domestic use.  

The locomotive is more than 85% complete mechanically. The railroad says $390,000 is left to raise to put the engine into steam and to provide for support services for the locomotive.  

As a reminder, here’s what the project looks like in the final stretch with information from our www.TrainsMag.com blog post earlier this month and the March edition of the magazine.

The $390,000 needed is 13.9% of the total budget for the project; $2.8 million has been spent so far. The budget for that money includes:

— $239,000 for labor, machine work, rewheeling, final upfit, testing, and break in.  
— $70,000 for a coal loader and ash removal system required by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection at the shop in Ridgeley, W.Va.  
— $43,000 for treated water storage.  
— $10,000 for a covered coal storage area.  
— $10,000 for a crane to set the locomotive onto its drivers.  
— $21,000 for contingency. 

Once funding is secured, the project can be completed in less than six months, including a break-in period, Bensman says. 

Trains has financially contributed to this project with its $10,000 Preservation Award in 2015, and Trains readers have kicked in another $50,000 in donations themselves. In early 2019, the John Emery Trust contributed $40,000 to the work.

Built in 1949, No. 1309 operated until 1956, and its return to service at Western Maryland Scenic is seen as a breakthrough for the tourist railroad that carries forward the soul of the original Western Maryland Railway across 17 miles of mountain railroad, including world famous Helmstetter’s Curve.

No. 1309 was steam tested twice in fall 2018. It was acquired from the B&O Railroad Museum in 2014, but funding issues and the parts theft set back the project. The railroad has since increased security.
  
In operation, No. 1309 will be the only articulated in regular operation in the Eastern U.S., and the world’s largest operating compound Mallet — that is, a locomotive that uses its steam twice to drive two sets of cylinders [Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 is a simple articulated]. The engine will operate on a regular basis and also will be available for photo freights chartered by Trains Magazine. Trains also plans to cover the restoration in print and with an exclusive DVD. 

To help, send your donation marked for 1309 to Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, 13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD 21502, or you can donate online at  
www.wmsr.com/1309 

— Corrects identification of speaker in fourth paragraph.