Anyone have any update on the actual progress on the work on 1309?

These photos were taken Easter Sunday thru the fence at Ridgeley.

If you want to believe the Rumors ..... what is going around the area is that the WMSR has yet to receive the funds from a $400,000.00 Grant from the state of Maryland causing all work to stop on the #1309... Nothing official has been released at this point.

Tim Wilson

Hmmmmm. Not a promising sign for an early July maiden voyage around Helmstetters Curve.

Looks like it will be done when it's done and not a moment sooner...

Should that be the case, then so be it. Would not be the first restoration to miss a completion date or the last. It'll be done when it's done as Mr. Gardner stated.

The WMSR has recently had it's share of "Bad Luck" with the "Land Slips" above Woodcock Hollow coupled with running diesel only trips this past season. In the face of all the challenges, I believe thy have fared well.

If there is a hold-up in the State Grant, let's hope it can be resolved quickly.

Tim Wilson

This kind of project always takes longer than it takes. Which doesn't make sense upon reading, but think about it a bit...

Someone told me once, "A poorly planned project always takes three times longer than originally thought. A well-planned project only takes twice as long".

From experience, release of State of Maryland Bond Bill Funding can be a long process. If a match was required you must spend the match first. Then you must pay the bills for work funded by the Bond Bill and then get reimbursed. The final reward is great but you can expect slow going along the way.

Wesley

According to the April 26, 2017 Trains magazine newswire, the WMSR stopped all restoration work in early March due to funding issues:
Western Maryland Scenic says funding delays will delay C&O 1309 restoration

https://www.wmsr.com/shop-tours/

The WMSR is offering a 1.5 hr. "Shop Tour" twice on May 6th. for $35.00 a person. Further information at the above link.

Tim W.

As previously discussed at length there's never any good method of predicting when a restoration will be completed until it's done ( and done includes the mandatory break-in runs to find all the "things" that still need fixing).

In this case the work will not resume until the states grant money arrives and as it is currently being held up for political reasons no one knows when that might be.

Obviously it won't be done in time for trips this calendar year.

Ross Rowland

Ross, John Garner (GM of the WMSR) said on a Facebook video that once they receive the grant money, work can resume right away - and that there's about 6 weeks' worth of work left to do once they get started. So if the check gets there relatively soon, six weeks of work, testing, break-in runs, etc. It's plausible that it could be done for this calendar year...

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With lots of respect for Mr. Garner and his dedicated crew I stand by what I said.

Being through a few of these rodeos teaches one certain things.

One of the universal laws applicable to steam locomotive restorations is......they ALWAYS take longer and cost WAY MORE than anyone thinks possible.

IMHO-Ross Rowland

WMSR is up against the Maryland State Bond Bill process. The money's great, but you've got to get your match certified and then spend your own cash first. This will process take a little while.

Wesley