Union Pacific’s Big Boy may rule the West as the new steam king on the horizon, but the East is about to get its own massive articulated in steam. This summer, Cumberland, Md.-based Western Maryland Scenic Railroad received Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 from the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. These images show No. 1309 on its journey from Baltimore to Cumberland.
The Western Maryland Scenic tourist railroad aims to restore the locomotive to operation by 2016. The 1949 engine is significant as the last domestic-use locomotive that Baldwin Locomotive Works built.
Western Maryland Scenic officials say the restoration of No. 1309 will begin soon after arrival at the Ridgeley, W.Va., shops. Managers who evaluated the locomotive say it is the ideal candidate for the mountainous tourist line with a maximum grade of 2.8 percent. Railroad officials say that they have long sought a powerful coal-fired locomotive to accompany 2-8-0 No. 734. Currently, Western Maryland Scenic No. 734, a 1916 Baldwin from the Lake Superior & Ishpeming, serves as the only operational steam locomotive on the 17-mile railroad. Federal regulations require a complete inspection for No. 734 at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
This locomotive will be the focus of the railroad’s preservation fundraisers this year and next. The railroad’s supporting foundation website has launched a campaign promoting the restoration of this historic locomotive. The foundation is seeking both volunteers and donations.
“We would like to thank CSX for the donation of the move across their lines and the use of a flatcar, TTX for the donation of the use of a specialized heavy duty flat car, B&O Museum, and Hulcher for their help in planning and executing this magnificent undertaking,” says Jody Shaw from Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
To help or for more information, see www.movingfullsteamahead.com.
Interested in all things steam? Check out Locomotive 2014, the definitive annual guide to locomotives from Trains magazine.
Quick facts on No. 1309
Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works
Total produced: 10, Nos. 1300-1309
Significance: Baldwin Locomotive Works’ last domestic steam engine
Build date: September 1949
Class and wheel arrangement: H6 2-6-6-2
Career: Seven years at C&O’s Peach Creek terminal in Logan, W.Va., in coal-hauling service. Moved to B&O Railroad Museum in 1972.
Driver diameter: 56 inches
Wheelbase: 48.8 feet
Total length: 99.7 feet
Locomotive weight: 434,900 pounds
Tender weight: 208,200 pounds
Water capacity: 12,000 gallons
Coal capacity: 15 tons
Boiler diameter: 96 inches
Boiler pressure: 210 psi
Grate area: 72 square feet
Heating surface: 4,830 square feet
Superheater area: 991 square feet
Valve gear: Walschaerts
Tractive effort: 77,900 pounds (compound), 98,000 pounds (simple)
Has anyone answered the question about this thing fitting on the Frostburg turntable?
Cant wait to see it in action in 2016. Will travel from Texas with family to enjoy. Bravo WMSR!!!!!
1309 was one of Baldwin's last batch of ten domestic market steam engines. What's the fate of the other 9?
thank you for bring this locomotive to Cumberland, but will the 1309 fit on to the turntable at Frostburg?
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! It was awesome to watch this action live. Reminded me of unloading rolling stock at Pemberton. Thanks again.
Suck a lovely blue screen. Backed out 4 times and came back in the same pretty blue screen Been out over 30 minutes having trouble I guess.
We will resume streaming as soon as we arrive at the tailroad's Ridgley shops. Estimating around 1:15 PM EST.
Content unavailable!
It just blue screened!
Sorry that I missed the live unloading. Best of luck to Western Maryland RR in raising funds to restore this magnificent
locomotive.
Thanks for doing this. Great job.
TY for showing the unloading.
And thank you, Chase!!
thanks all another interesting loco move what next Charles Coleman England
Safely unloaded- is this now the world's biggest 4-6-2?
Great Show!!!! Thanks for sharing!
Jim, thank you for providing this video feed. I stand a much better chance of seeing this engine in person, compared to 4014. This really whets my appetite!
Would be nice if you could hear the guy talking a little better over the background noise.
When all else fails, WHACK IT! Lol!
great idea shows how a heavy lift is performed
great video. tks
Those machines aren't side-dozers they're called side-booms…some call them side-winders.
need to get a better angle
back on now! Enjoy the show!
ORANGE SHIRT, BLUE HAT, FLAPPING LENS COVER………?