WMSR track repairs progressing

Thanks for the new photographs!

Looks like some serious shoring up!  

Wow, that's some good progress!

A little 1309 news: the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society has approved the 15 year loan of a WM Headlight, whistle, and water gauge glass to be used on 1309.

Borden Tunnel posted:

A little 1309 news: the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society has approved the 15 year loan of a WM Headlight, whistle, and water gauge glass to be used on 1309.

A Western Maryland whistle on a C&O H-6? Must admit that I would sure rather hear real C&O "hooter" on 1309 at lest once.

Lookin good!

When the WMSR started, in the 1980's, didn't the two ex-CP 4-6-2's from Covington, VA originally run before the 734? Now they are at Prairie Dog in Alberta I think. Does WMSR have any heavyweight coaches anymore with openable windows? There were when the 4-6-2's were there. When they bought the line, was the current length between Ridgeley, WV and Frostburg all that was left of the WM or was there more trackage that wasn't acquired and was removed? Like the WM main into PA, line through the Frostburg tunnel, and line past Ridgeley toward Knobmount yard. And WM toward Hagerstown. I have a Trainz route of the lines and it includes all the now gone sections like to Connellsville, PA and deeper into WV, etc. as well as the B&O now CSX line. The routes are at Glenwood Shops and at Trainz Pro Routes Download Depot. The routes were made by jrfolco. I understand most of the WM ROW in PA is now a rail trail with a few breaches where the trail goes off the ROW and the ROW is impassible due to a bridge missing, etc. There were quite a few tunnels on the now gone sections of the WM in WV and PA. Are most of those tunnels off limits to walking or blocked off, or caved in? Is WMSR worth going to from eastern PA? Especially with 1309 this year? It's about 180 miles from me. If we went we would probably spend the weekend and stay at a hotel in Cumberland.

Yes, the CP 1238 &1286 were the first locomotives to operate on the line as a tourist railroad.  It was then called the Allegheny Central.  1991-1992 was when the ALCOs operated, while the 734 was being rebuilt.  Back in the early 90's, the line only extended a short ways beyond Knobmount tunnel to access a scrap yard.  The line to Elkins consists of about 150 ft of track used for one leg of the wye.

I don't believe the WMSR has any heavyweight coaches in service any longer. 

Vestibules are usually opened on some of the cars, check this vid I shot at Frostburg on 10/23/2015

CO2707 posted:

Yes, the CP 1238 &1286 were the first locomotives to operate on the line as a tourist railroad.  It was then called the Allegheny Central.  1991-1992 was when the ALCOs operated, while the 734 was being rebuilt.  Back in the early 90's, the line only extended a short ways beyond Knobmount tunnel to access a scrap yard.  The line to Elkins consists of about 150 ft of track used for one leg of the wye.

Actually, the Maryland operation was the ALLEGANY Central, for the county the RR was located.
Jack Showalter's 1970's Virginia tourist RR was the ALLEGHANY Central.

Robert K posted:

When the WMSR started, in the 1980's, didn't the two ex-CP 4-6-2's from Covington, VA originally run before the 734? Now they are at Prairie Dog in Alberta I think. Does WMSR have any heavyweight coaches anymore with openable windows? There were when the 4-6-2's were there. When they bought the line, was the current length between Ridgeley, WV and Frostburg all that was left of the WM or was there more trackage that wasn't acquired and was removed? Like the WM main into PA, line through the Frostburg tunnel, and line past Ridgeley toward Knobmount yard. And WM toward Hagerstown. I have a Trainz route of the lines and it includes all the now gone sections like to Connellsville, PA and deeper into WV, etc. as well as the B&O now CSX line. The routes are at Glenwood Shops and at Trainz Pro Routes Download Depot. The routes were made by jrfolco. I understand most of the WM ROW in PA is now a rail trail with a few breaches where the trail goes off the ROW and the ROW is impassible due to a bridge missing, etc. There were quite a few tunnels on the now gone sections of the WM in WV and PA. Are most of those tunnels off limits to walking or blocked off, or caved in? Is WMSR worth going to from eastern PA? Especially with 1309 this year? It's about 180 miles from me. If we went we would probably spend the weekend and stay at a hotel in Cumberland.

If you could make it to Manassas,Va., from Allentown, then you can make it to Cumberland. All-Interstate, and great scenery from each of the 4 mountain summits you cross west of Hagerstown,MD.
There is a new Fairfield Inn and a Ramada Inn (Former Holiday Inn) in downtown Cumberland, both are just several blocks away from the WMSR. I'm sure they would accommodate your every need.

Check www.gaptrail.org for status of the former WM mainline and its tunnels. AFAIK, all the tunnels are in  use for the trail, of course Brush tunnel is shared with the WMSR. The bypassed bridge is at Confluence,PA. and was made necessary by highway relocation.

How far is the Potomac Eagle Railroad from WMSR? I heard it's ten miles. They are just diesel but they have open window coaches and a longer ride than WMSR. Might be worth it to do that one too if traveling to the WMSR. I know all about the 2010 issue with moving 734 there to pull a special excursion on the Potomac Eagle, but CSX refused to move it. They are aholes, they will not allow any steam unlike NS with 611. Any railroad that Hunter Harrison controls will not allow steam, either. He is rumored to be going to CSX. He will fit right in with their anti-steam culture. It is hard to run excursions on railroads that trade on the stock market because those railroads have to perform (move freight on time) and avoid unnecessary frivolous expenses, avoid risk, and achieve ROI for their shareholders. NS and UP are two exceptions to the rule, and BNSF allows occasional steam excursions. I'm glad to hear the 611 is running again, but for how much longer without Wick at the helm of NS?

Robert K posted:

How far is the Potomac Eagle Railroad from WMSR? I heard it's ten miles. They are just diesel but they have open window coaches and a longer ride than WMSR. Might be worth it to do that one too if traveling to the WMSR. I know all about the 2010 issue with moving 734 there to pull a special excursion on the Potomac Eagle, but CSX refused to move it. They are aholes, they will not allow any steam unlike NS with 611. Any railroad that Hunter Harrison controls will not allow steam, either. He is rumored to be going to CSX. He will fit right in with their anti-steam culture. It is hard to run excursions on railroads that trade on the stock market because those railroads have to perform (move freight on time) and avoid unnecessary frivolous expenses, avoid risk, and achieve ROI for their shareholders. NS and UP are two exceptions to the rule, and BNSF allows occasional steam excursions. I'm glad to hear the 611 is running again, but for how much longer without Wick at the helm of NS?

You heard wrong. Any map will tell you that it is 27 miles to Romney,WV., from Cumberland.

They usually have the combine Man O' War in the consist which used to be a NS excursion car and has a large open door.

Part of the up and back adventure to Frostburg is bicycles, loaded in the baggage/combine car. Either your bike, or a rental, just down the street.  Canal Place has a bike shop.  Even though, you would ride the bike back to Cumberland, you still pay full fare.  You can continue the trail either direction from Frostburg. Up, Up to the continental divide, village of Deal, down the other side of the mountain to Meyersdale, PA.  or beyond.   I've done a 50 miler, Rockwood, PA to Frostburg, MD and back in a day.  Long haul up out of Frostburg, back to the Continental Divide.  You do get to experience the Big Savage tunnel. There are lights inside the mile (+) tunnel.  Good food and drink, Meyersdale, PA.

Do they permit you to stand by the door in the Man O' War? How is the coach set up inside? Is there no dividing wall between the coach seats and the open doors like a combine usually has? So, even if you were sitting in a coach seat you would hear the steam whistle and chug pretty good due to the open doors up front? If only CSX allowed steam then they could have run special trips to Rockwood, PA and back, there is a wye at Rockwood. It's almost 45 miles on the WM right of way, not sure about CSX ex-B&O.

I did a video out of the big door on "Man O' War" one time. Got home took shirt off,

a half cup of  cinders fell out! I should find some of those old videos and post them here.

Ed

Robert K posted:

Do they permit you to stand by the door in the Man O' War? How is the coach set up inside? Is there no dividing wall between the coach seats and the open doors like a combine usually has? So, even if you were sitting in a coach seat you would hear the steam whistle and chug pretty good due to the open doors up front? If only CSX allowed steam then they could have run special trips to Rockwood, PA and back, there is a wye at Rockwood. It's almost 45 miles on the WM right of way, not sure about CSX ex-B&O.

Robert, YES, they do permit you to stand by the two open door's and windows in the Man O' War. As for the layout of the car, there is a wall dividing the coach section of the car and the area with the open doors.

Word on the street is that trains are running to Frostburg. Can anyone confirm or deny this rumor?

Borden Tunnel posted:

Robert K posted:

How far is the Potomac Eagle Railroad from WMSR? I heard it's ten miles.  

You heard wrong. Any map will tell you that it is 27 miles to Romney,WV., from Cumberland.

 

Maybe 10mi as the eagle flies but a full 40min drive.

J 611 posted:

Word on the street is that trains are running to Frostburg. Can anyone confirm or deny this rumor?

According to latest posts on TrainOrders.com, the line is indeed fully open and they have been operating to Frostburg.

Yes the line will be open to Frostburg.

I believe they will be running crew training sessions up to Frosburg in late April. 

Based on their Facebook page, they are most definitely running public trips to Frostburg. 

CSX FAN posted:

Yes the line will be open to Frostburg.

Not "will be", it already is "open to Frostburg".

Don't think it is yet. They are currently  running trains to "Mountain View" which is likely Sunnyside.

Ed Mullan posted:

I did a video out of the big door on "Man O' War" one time. Got home took shirt off,

a half cup of  cinders fell out! I should find some of those old videos and post them here.

Ed

Real man's railroading, Ed.  

Dave Albright posted:

Don't think it is yet. They are currently  running trains to "Mountain View" which is likely Sunnyside.

According to their FB page they are running to Frostburg currently.

Hot Water has it right, the line has been open to Frostburg for two-three weeks now.

Ed

My apologies.

No apologies needed. Just come up and take a ride next season! I say season, but it appears as if

year around running is going to happen.

Ed

I am delighted to share that YES, WMSR, is operating across the entire 19 miles of ex-Western Maryland Railway main line trackage from Ridgeley, WV to Frostburg, MD.  They have been using this time as test and trial runs for new crew members to receive their training.  They will take the month of April and operate their "Bunny Hops" to the location called "Mountain View." This is the old Lap location and currently where they have placed a whistle-stop passenger shelter.  Mountain View serves as their picnic grove and family area, along with the Egg Hunts.  Excursions to Frostburg will resume in May.  The dinner train will continue to travel to Frostburg on Saturday nights.  WMSR recently completed a much needed brush cutting of the entire railroad and that a second and third round will be done over the next few months.

May 6 will be the grand "official" return to Frostburg as they "start" the 2017 Season.  However, please note, that WMSR now operates all 12 months of the year.  WMSR features a delightful dinner train and themed dinner trains from Murder Mysteries to Wine and Cheese Excursions.  If you have a special someone, the dinner train experience will please them.  Photo freight train opportunities are being posted on their website.  I understand that a new photo location will be a highlight, too.

The WM1309 is moving full steam ahead.  Keep watch in social media circles for updated information on what is going on with the rebuilding of 1309.  

WMSR is evolving into an authentic heritage experience not just an excursion train. Close followers will note that they are making slow but steady changes to operations.  Keep watch for details to come.  If you send questions to them, they are prompt in answer those questions.

Have a great and safe day!