That Other Articulated - WMSR #1309 - Update photos 04/27/19

EDM · **Posted:** Fri Jun 28, 2019 11:00 am

WMSR was paying consultants $800 per day? I'd love to get a gig like that. And they need much more than 'rebranding'.

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1087

From an August 1, 2019 article in the Cumberland Times-News... I presume that the reporter misquoted Mr. Garner:

Quote:

Although some time frames for the engine’s return had been put in place in the past, Garner avoided committing to a timeline.

“I’ll see steam when you see steam,” he said. “We hope to get it back in place in a couple weeks. Then you have eight to 10 weeks to get it ready for inspection by the Federal Railroad Association.”

The Baldwin No. 1309 has been christened Maryland Thunder. Garner said once the wheels are functional, Maryland Thunder must put in 300 miles on the rails before the required FRA inspection can be performed.

“You have to put in 300 miles to work out the bugs and the kinks,” he said. “Then it will be ‘blue carded.’ Just like when you have your registration in your glove box when you drive your car, the train must have its blue card aboard when in use.”

Link to full article: Locomotive needs new wheels - No timeline for debut engine No. 1309

NS6770fan · **Joined:** Sat May 19, 2018 10:03 am **Posts:** 195

How will she be able to run 300 miles before she can be inspected? To my knowledge, a locomotive cannot turn a wheel under her own power without that FRA Inspection. Someone messed up their words... Maybe 300 miles on her before she pulls people, but not before she is inspected...

AlcoC420 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:17 pm **Posts:** 270

EDM wrote:

WMSR was paying consultants $800 per day? I'd love to get a gig like that. And they need much more than 'rebranding'.

I guess you have not hired anyone to work on a diesel locomotive lately!

Most going rates are $85.00 per hour, plus lodging for overnight, mileage on their trucks, rags, consumables, etc.

trainman522 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:32 pm **Posts:** 46

I'm still hoping to see #1309 run sometime, but when it may run is still up in the air with all of the previous set backs. I'd like to chase or ride in on her first run, but when the actual date is announced I'll have to see some kind of true confirmation that the date won't be changed before I buy a hotel and make the trip there from Kentucky. At least they aren't still setting dates until they know for sure (we hope).