Work takes place in West Virginia, at the WMSR shops in Ridgeley which are the old WM digs. Ridgeley is just across the Potomac from Cumberland, Md. And of course, the train's route is from Cumberland to Frostburg, all in Maryland. The WMSR offices are in the station at Cumberland.
The latest is that they hope to have some funds by the 28th of this month so they can start work again.
They have been able to do much small detail work with their regular shop folks, who are also upgrading, cleaning and painting many of the passenger cars, and also repainting their Western Maryland caboose. They do have the bell for the engine, and they have decided to use a Hancock as was used most of the time on 734. As far as I know, WVA has no stake in the game, as far as money to the railroad. The money from Maryland is needed for contract work, all folks who have worked on steam previously. My opinion is when she does run, and she will, that locomotive will be in first class shape. No shortcuts are being taken in her rebuild.
Ed
