This shows one of the reasons why it is not too smart to advertise trips for a locomotive
that is still in pieces. Only 3 things can happen, and 2 of them are bad:

1. It will get finished and tested in time.

2. It won't get either in time.

3. It will, but only by cutting corners in hopes to do the better job later.

3a. "Later" has a bad habit of not happening.

Every so often, someone has to learn these lessons the hard way.

.

Trains Magazine Neswire reported today that all work on 1309 stopped in late March. All the contractors and several WMSR employees were laid off pending arrival of the $400,000 grant money from the State of Maryland.
The article also says the WMSR superintendent feels there is about eight weeks of work remaining before 1309 could move under her own power. The railroad is refunding tickets purchased for the July debut of 1309.
Sorry to see them take it on the chin, but how could they guarantee an in service date in January? Restorations get completed when the work is done, and there is no magic bullet other than time, labor and most of all buckets full of money.
One positive note, the diesel powered excursions can now reach Frostburg, the repairs from the landslides are completed.

What Kelly said.

I'd say that Kelly's guess is as good as any. Important to remember that putting all the pieces back together is only the beginning ....not the end. Then comes the all important series of break-in runs to uncover all the "things" that need fixing before the locomotive is ready to provide reliable service.

When you consider the complexity of this engine AND the years she's sat outside Kelly's guess of 6 months worth of work from where she is today might well prove to be optimistic??

Let's hope that the state monies show up soon and that we have the pleasure of seeing this machine in action come next spring.

IMHO-Ross Rowland

For what it's worth, I set an email to Governor Hogan asking him to expedite the delivery of the money. As a Maryland resident and constituent, I figured it couldn't hurt. No response except to acknowledge receipt of the message. Can we surmise anything from that?

Tom

Maryland Bond Bills are overseen by the Board of Public Works and the Department of General Services (DGS). Governor Hogan did his work when he signed the legislation in 2016.

The Board of Public Works certified WMSR's matching funds on March 8. This is a good step. WMSR must also submit contracts for work to the Department of General Services for approval. C&O 1309 is not a building or typical bricks and mortar construction project. This fact will take some hand-holding with the folks at DGS when contracts and invoices are reviewed.

The State of Maryland will not send $400,000 or a portion thereof to WMSR to spend. WMSR must send invoices to the State.

Before RyPN readers start the usual conversation about government money, the Bond Bill program is a great resource offered by the State of Maryland. The recipient just needs to be prepared to deal with the paperwork and manage the cash flow. It is unfortunate that WMSR had to come to a full stop with restoration of C&O 1309. We had our share of frustration when using Maryland ISTEA and Bond Bill funds at National Capital Trolley Museum but the projects got done. In our case the fun was explaining the details involved in restoring a 1926 streetcar.

Wesley

I just saw on Trains Newswire that work on 1309 has resumed.

Link to Trains Newswire article by Jim Wrinn:

Work resumes on 1309: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad restarts restoration work on 2-6-6-2 locomotive.

And for those of us who don't subscribe...?

You really should subscribe!

Here is a short, fair-use, excerpt of the article:

Here you go.

Let's give credit where its due. At least they've learned to stop issuing completion dates.

There's still a TON of work left on this machine before it even approaches "done".

Let's hope they beat the odds and get her ready for this years Santa season.

IMHO-Ross Rowland

Just for the record, Mr. Rowland, when did *you* inspect the 1309 in person, or at least go over the inspection reports and restoration plans in detail?

I mean, we heard a lot in years past about a certain maverick crew that pulled a 4-8-4 out of the scrapyard and into mainline service in only 28 days..........

There are a lot of folks who could step in and volunteer at this point to push to get this old girl running. Ross, have you been down to help out yet? It is a sister C&O engine to your beauty!

Joe