CUMBERLAND, Md. -- Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
(WMSR) announced details yesterday regarding the future of their famous steam locomotive no. 734, "Mountain Thunder".
Last Friday, the same day tickets went on sale for the railroad's reopening, the 1916-built locomotive turned 105 years old. It has remained out of service since 2016, but stabilization work has picked up on the 734 in recent months, as the restoration of their other steam locomotive, former Chesapeake and Ohio no. 1309, comes to a close.
"No. 734 will be cosmetically stabilized and continue to receive attention to keep its condition from deteriorating further as time and resources allow," WMSR said in the announcement. "At a work session earlier this year, volunteers began removing the jacketing and lagging from the boiler and cylinders and assessing the locomotive’s overall condition and preparing it for light cosmetic repair work."
An operational restoration still seems a long ways off, however. The locomotive returned to service on the railroad in 1993, and aside from some downtime in the early 2000s, remained in continuous service on the mountain railroad until 2016. During that time, many years of hard running took a massive toll on the veteran engine, and as WMSR explained, the locomotive was in dire need of major work when it was withdrawn from service.
"Contrary to popular belief at the time the engine was withdrawn, no. 734 is not mechanically sound," WMSR said. "Our new mechanical team has found accounts and inspection forms that indicate the locomotive was performing well below peak efficiency during her final years in service. The locomotive was often pushed far beyond its normal operating capabilities, which has resulted in extreme wear and tear of many key components, particularly the running gear."
At this point, the railroad says that the 734 will need a similar level of work, and associated cash investment, as the restoration on the 1309, which has totaled seven years of work and over $3 million, largely raised by donations and grants. Coupled with the facts that there are many other projects that take priority over the 734, and the locomotive is not as suitable for the railroad as it once was, the 734's operations will likely not resume for some time.
"The railroad has many other projects that will require our attention before any work can begin on no. 734 in earnest," WMSR said. "If undertaken, [an overhaul] would also mean a significant investment in a locomotive that no longer meets the daily needs of the railroad... we do not anticipate beginning work in earnest at any time within the next few years."
However, the railroad did not rule out the possibility of a return to service in the future. There are duties that the 734 could handle during the off-season. The railroad says the operating future of the 734 depends on the outcome of a full mechanical evaluation.
"While it is our intention to return no. 734 to service one day, this will ultimately be determined by the outcome of a thorough evaluation," WMSR said. "This does not remove the possibility of no. 734 operating on the lighter, off-season trains and as stand-by power for no. 1309. For now, it is no. 1309’s time to shine but, if circumstances allow, no. 734’s time in the spotlight could come again someday."

"pushed far beyond it's normal operating capabilities"

I'd have thought during the steam era, it would have been absolutely beat to hell with 0 regards for wear and tear, after all it was just a tool. Whereas it might have been worked hard on the WMSR but surely back in LS&I days, much more so?

It has 57 inch drivers or are they smaller?

I rode 734 just a few months before she went down. There was no diesel assistance and she sounded great to me.

If all you care about is how loud the chuffs are, fine. Maybe it takes a tuned ear or something.

I remember seeing some videos of some of what turned out to be the "last runs" of 734 before withdrawal, and I literally CRINGED at 1) how much steam was leaking from places it shouldn't have and 2) how off-square the valve timing was. It was like watching videos of the final days of steam at Northwestern Steel & Wire's GTW 0-8-0s or some of the more derelict Cuban or Chinese steamers.

One of the guys who took one of the videos said to me "It's not supposed to sound offbeat like that, is it?"

One thing for sure, it could put on a show. Surely one of the largest 2-8-0s?

Those who know what to listen for can judge for themselves.
[i]https://youtu.be/BccZ7UXvqUo?t=70

I think Sandy's just being silly and trying to stampede everyone into thinking 734 is gone for good. I submit that she's simply being prepared for display because WMSR doesn't want her sitting around looking like heck, plus she'll add to the railroad "atmosphere" of the place. After all of the criticism they've received over the years they don't want, or need, any more. So paint it up. Assuming the 1309 is a success then in a few years they may have accumulated enough money and good will to restore 734.