I really don't get all of the hand-wringing about 1309 "making it" on the WMSR trackage.
It's still 14 miles of the old WM Connellsville Sub mainline that was completed in 1912, still has all the 132lb. rail that was there since the WWII era, and saw regular passage by huge 4-6-6-4s, 4-8-4s, 2-8-8-2s, and 2-10-0s in steam times. The last 2 miles into Frostburg is the old Cumberland & Pennsylvania main which did not see anything larger than Russian Decapods in steam, but the rail is 132lb. relaid from the old WM main west of Frostburg, has deep ballast, and is maintained better than the WM days.
Lastly a C&O 2-6-6-2 is an articulated, it bends in the middle, thus making sharp curves less of an issue.
Much expense and effort went into the repairs of both landslides, with funds made available from county, state, and federal sources, the county and state have made a significant investment in getting WMSR remade into a top tourist attraction.
It would be great to go back in time and save a WM 1200, given the opportunity, but I still will be happy to see the 1309.
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