Link to first firing thread.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42554

#1309 under steam for a Fund Raising Dinner Train event for the #1309 Restoration - 30 October 2018

WOW! #1309's tender looks outstanding. I'm glad to see that they are continuing to make progress on bringing that ol' girl back. I can't wait to see her when she's finished up and running. She will be one hell of a sight.

Uneducated, speculative question from me.

The photo shows 1309 supported on a shop truck at the smokebox. The boiler is supporting the weight of the rear cylinder block and frame. Normally, this would be the other way around. The rear engine frame would be supporting the boiler, along with some weight distribution to the front engine.

Is this acceptable?

Something has to be supporting the rear frame (hidden by steam). Is the trailing truck in place? Given the weight of a full boiler, I hope both frames are on blocking.

Phil Mulligan

The boiler is plenty strong enough to support its own weight and the weight of the water inside. The trailing truck is in place and supporting the weight of the rear of the locomotive.

A 4-0-0-4!
Glad to see that they are progressing with the work. Those C&O 2-6-62's were some of my favorites.
Ned

4-0-0-2....

Was the stoker operating during the Oct 30 steam up?

deleted

The contracting company and the individuals who have been working with this specific project have worked with dozens of steam locomotive restorations, overhauls, and operations on many of the most visible engines working in modern service. Many of the same practices used by the various railroads in the maintenance of these great engines is applied daily in their rebuilds. These machines aren't so delicate that they can't handle shop trucks, overhead cranes, test fires, being driver-less, etc.

The railfan community's support of and commentary on these restorations, overhauls, and operations is appreciated. The world of tourist, scenic, and historic railroading sometimes allows for thorough historic accuracy, but often requires modern mechanics, equipment, and interpretation in order to earn revenue to continue steaming. More important to the long-term future of these locomotives will be the ability of businesses/organizations to continue attracting families to ride and new talent to learn about the past.

Did they blow the whistle?

Jump to 4:35, from the first steam test. Whistle is supposedly from a Western Maryland 4-8-4 (Baldwin, 1947):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rYKY3zVggE

And the whistle blow itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE8s-tI ... njDPll9HMU

Here's a new story regarding #1309.

https://www.times-news.com/news/local_n ... mBuenKHLZw

Now, I know that WMSR stated that #1309 will be able to turned on the turntable in Frostburg, but this story states that #1309 is too long for the turntable. Did the author not get his research correct, or did the WMSR find out later that #1309 is actually too big for the turntable? Can someone help show some light on this?

It's been mentioned several times in previous articles, but the short answer is that the possible issue lies not with the turntable itself, but the physical curve and vertical curve (coming off the 3% grade) of the tracks leading up to the turntable (which are set in the street). You can turn it if you get it there....but you may not be able to get it there without some expensive street and track repair.