Meanwhile, across town in Cumberland and along Willis Creek, the Western Maryland's chief competitor B&O used a fleet of beefy articulateds to push tonnage over Sand Patch grade to Pittsburgh PA and points west...
B&O 2-8-8-0 7212...
B&0 2-8-8-0 7214...
B&O 2-8-8-0 7105...
B&O 2-8-8-0 7154...
B&O 2-8-8-0 7212 with what appears to be a very long tender with an unusual truck configuration...
Of course, often one or more Big Six 2-10-2 units on the head end would be involved...
B&O 2-10-2 Big Six 6159...
B&O 2-10-2 Big Six 6105...
B&O 2-10-2 Big Six 6144...
B&O 2-10-2 Big Six 6??? pulling merchandise up Sand Patch...
B&O 2-10-2 Big Six 6190 with an oil train at Harpers Ferry...
B&O 2-10-2 6219? with a train of black diamonds...
B&O 2-10-2 Big Six 6121 on merchandise at Shenandoah Junction...
Since Western Maryland K-2 4-6-2 202 was mentioned earlier in this thread, here are a few more shots of WM 202 at Hagerstown. The unit is one of 9 purchased by Western Maryland in 1912 in series 201-209. WM 202 has 69 inch drivers, 200 psi, and a tractive effort of 39,736 lbs with a factor of adhesion of 4.04.
WM K-2 4-6-2 202 under its shed in Hagerstown from a traditional wedge angle...
WM K-2 4-6-2 202 broadside with a panoramic view (notice two cabooses tied to the tank)...
WM K-2 4-6-2 202 in an earlier photo prior to construction of the protective roof...
WM K-2 4-6-2 209 arriving in Hagerstown MD...
WM K-2 4-6-2 209 roster shot...
Shifting back to the I-2 2-10-0 units, 2-10-0 "Four Aces" 1111 on a manifest freight...
WM I-2 2-10-0 1116 roster shot...
WM I-2 2-10-0 11?? on a manifest freight...
WM K-2 4-6-2 205 pulling the Centennial Special to Cumberland...
WM K-2 4-6-2 204 broadside shot...
Here are a few shots of the later Potomacs and Challengers because they are great shots...
WM J-1 4-8-4 1401 on a manifest freight...
WM J-1 4-8-4 1407 on a coal drag...
WM M-2 4-6-6-4 1204 on a manifest freight...
WM M-2 4-6-6-4 1211 on a coal drag...
WM M-2 4-6-6-4 1210 on a reefer block...
WM M-2 4-6-6-4 1208 on manifest west out of Cumberland near deal...
202 looks like it's in gooooood shape.
Hmmm, makes me wonder about possibilities, and I'm not even a "Wild Mary" fan.
I'd like to add a bit to the discussion. It is my pleasure to serve as WMSR's Curator, and to the best of knowledge the following is accurate.
First, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corporation (the quasi-public 501(c)3 entity that operates the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad) purchased the 1309 from the B&O Railroad Museum in Spring of 2014. The purchase price was $50,000 and it was a straightforward sale. It is not a "loaner."
By the time the rehabilitation is complete in April or May of 2017, WMSR will have spent close to $1 million on the project, typical for a locomotive of that size. There have been no major surprises and few unexpected issues. But it is almost like restoring two locomotives. Also, the locomotive sat with an asbestos "sponge" holding water against the boiler and firebox for roughly 30 years, which caused a great deal of damage to studs and flexible staybolts. Correcting those issues has taken somewhat longer than expected.
WMSR staff and governance carefully considered what identity the locomotive should have. It is important to bear in mind that C&O 1308 is preserved and well-cared for in Huntington, WV. It is complete, well-interpreted, and in excellent condition as a "museum locomotive."
The 1309 was something of an orphan in the B&O Museum collection. It will be ideally suited as one of WMSR's workhorse locomotives and fulfills a longtime goal of having two large steam locomotives available for service. WMSR 734 will undergo the same thorough rehabilitation as the 1309 over the next few years as resources permit.
1309 will retain its original C&O number and will be lettered "Western Maryland." It was a C&O locomotive for 7 years, and in all likelihood will be a WMSR locomotive for at least 50 years. The railroad envisions at least three 15 year/1472 day inspection/rebuild cycles for the locomotive. WMSR has been in service for nearly 30 years and bases its long-term planning on a 50-year horizon. That is both standard railroad practice and good cultural resource management practice.
WMSR briefly gave some thought to renumbering the locomotive 760. It was a consensus decision that the 1309 had sufficient "identity" to continue to be 1309 on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. But WMSR is an operating railroad and certainly has the right to paint and letter its locomotives accordingly--in the same way that the C&O repainted locomotives it acquired into its own paint schemes.
Absolutely nothing would preclude occasionally repainting the 1309 in a C&O scheme or in some other style. WMSR may paint it differently over the years in the same manner that railroads generally evolved their "look."
Most importantly, WMSR is committed to being a good steward of the locomotive and to making it available to the greatest number of people in the most engaging and interesting ways.
John Hankey
WM 202 is in very good condition. She was kept that way for many years by an individual who took special pride in her. Since his passing, she seems to have deteriorated a little, but not much. There are still local volunteers who are active in her care. I would rather see her in an indoor location.
There have been discussions about returning 202 to steam, but they have never gone very far. I could be wrong on some details, but I understand she was donated to the Children of Hagerstown, with the City as custodian. I have been told the donation included some limitations that prevent the removal of the engine from the City. Could she operate on excursions, returning to Hagerstown afterwards? Who looks after the ownership interests of the Children of Hagerstown? Is any of this enforceable, considering the fact that the WM hasn't existed in years and CSX shows no interest in steam?
What I say here is based on things I have heard said around Hagerstown for years, so maybe the most important question is whether any of my info is correct.
Tom
Thanks so much for that well-written report Mr. Hankey! It's a genuine pleasure and surprise to have someone so well-connected to a scenic railroad/museum look in on this Forum to give us a first-hand account of "what's goin' on."
And you know what? since WMSR flat out owns 1309 as far as I'm concerned paint it in any scheme you want. You folks are putting the money, sweat, love, and more than likely a little blood into that machine and have earned the right.
Just watch out for any possible C&O "Andrews Raiders" sneaking off with her, as postulated by a previous poster!
PS: Don't be a stranger!
PPS: the B&O museum sold 1309 for only $50,000? Wow, what a good deal! Maybe I'll check the couch and other furniture around the house for any loose change or bills and check with those folks to see if there's anything else they want to "fire sale!"
I would liker to join Firelock in thanking Mr. Hankey for his comments and, much more importantly, his contributions to Railway Preservation and historical interpretation over many years. He may have much better information than I about the circumstances surrounding WM 202's preservation and current condition. If so, I hope he will add to that part of the conversation.
Much of my information is based on what I have heard, and could be nothing more than urban legend. I would not hesitate to defer to Mr. Hankey on any points of disagreement.
PS: Unless I am mistaken, the WM skipped from the 1200 series to the 1400 series and never used the 1300 series. So there is no conflict with historic WM loco numbers.
Mr. Hankey, it sounds like WMSR has an M-3 on the roster!
Thank you so much for the excellent update!
And God bless you and the WMSR team for preserving and demonstrating to the country the marvelous machines that built a nation and put the arsenal of democracy on the drawbar to help keep freedom ringing.
May the Eternal bless you and 1309 with long and healthy and productive lives along with all your members and crew. Thanks for all the hard work!
daveklepperMay the Eternal bless you and 1309 with long and healthy and productive lives along with all your members and crew.
Amen
And here is a New Year's Wish for 1309 and the WSMR organization:
Long May You Run
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gttIc5avsZw
Western Maryland articulated locomotive classes...
M-1 2-6-6-2 957...
M-1 2-6-6-2 952...
M-1a 0-6-6-0 956...converted from 2-6-6-2 configuration...
M-1a 0-6-6-0 959...converted from 2-6-6-2 configuration...
L-1 2-8-8-2 903...
L-1a 2-8-8-2 914...
M-2 4-6-6-4 1201...
M-2 4-6-6-4 1206...
(M-3?) (M-1b?) 2-6-6-2 1309...
What a Western Maryland "M-3" looked like in operation for its original owner...
2-6-6-2 caboose hop to pick up a loaded train at a coal mine...notice some of the class had Vanderbilt tenders as opposed to rectangular tenders...
1352...
1404 on the turntable...
1342...
1408 with large vanderbilt tender...
2-6-6-2 in pusher service pushing in reverse...
1529...
1445 and 1479 on the Piney Creek branch in WV...
H-6 specifications sheet...
H-6 2-6-6-2 at Tams WV...
Double-headed 2-6-6-2 units at Stanaford WV...
Double-headed 2-6-6-2 units at an undetermined location...
1301 on a coal train at an undetermined location...
WM I-2 2-10-0 1125 with 66 cars at 35 MPH on a well-labelled slide...
WM M-2 4-6-6-4 12?? at north portal of Big Savage Tunnel...
WM I-2 2-10-0 1129...
WM 2-8-0 785...good comparison to WMSR 2-8-0 734...
WM 4-6-2 202 in good working order and making good time...
WM I-2 2-10-0 11??...
WM 4-6-2 205 at Cumberland Station...
WM K-2 4-6-2 209...
WM unidentified steam locomotive downgrade on Hemstetter's Curve...
WM (M-3?) (M-1b) 2-6-6-2 1309 doubleheaded on original owner's railroad...
WM 800 class 2-8-0...
WM K-2 4-6-2 204 from the varnish end...
WM Maryland Junction - steam tenders visible at the roundhouse...
WM L-1 2-8-8-2 902...
WM Port Covington...
WM L-1 2-8-8-2 906 at Port Covington...
Port Covington...
WM 2-8-0 837 - one of the ubuquitous 2-8-0 units on WM - 734 does a close impersonation...
WM M-1 2-6-6-2 954...
WM M-2 4-6-6-4 1207(?)...
WM M-2 4-6-6-4 12?? on time freight...
WM 2-8-0 780...
WM J-1 4-8-4 14?? on time freight...
Biggest to tidewater for the West Virginia coal-hauling competitors...
Western Maryland M-2 4-6-6-4 1211...
B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4 7605...
C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 1623...
N&W A 2-6-6-4 1221...
Virginian AG 2-6-6-6 902...
A couple more of West Virginia's biggest shots...
N&W A 2-6-6-4 12??...
N&W A 2-6-6-4 1218 before it was famous...
C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 16??...
C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 1629...
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