Then you start getting into curvature questions and - back we go to the turntable thing again in Frostburg - would she make it onto the turntable, fit on the turntable, etc etc.

What stinks is that the only preserved WM locomotive (besides the Shay) would be the perfect size for WMSR. It’s a shame it’s stuck where it is.

Theoretically yes, but I'm not sure a 4-6-2 could handle those grades, even a relatively low drivered one like 202.

That site was last updated in 2010 - since then, a lot of chinese steam has been replaced. I doubt you could find a QJ - although iirc there's a veritable trade of JS and SYs for theme park displays.

Both the QJs in Iowa appear to have a home and are wanted, and the RJ Corman one has either been loaned or donated to the new Kentucky museum operation. I think a QJ, engine and tender, is probably too long to ride the Frostburg turntable. If one doesn't care about being able to turn a locomotive, WM had a group of Challengers, and there is one that could be made operable again in Wyoming that currently does not appear to have an operating future. For that matter, there is a Reading T hog being restored that might need a home once it's done. Again, not sure if it would fit on the turntable, but it certainly could handle most consists the railroad would want to haul, having seen it's sister climb Sand Patch on video with a long consist.

As for engines that could fit the table, Frisco Mikado 1352 doesn't appear to be wanted at the moment, and could be a candidate. Maybe a Chinese JS Class Mike, but I think they are a little light. Really, maybe the best design for a replica, and something that was not preserved, would be some version of a USRA heavy Mike with a short tender. WMSR chose 1309 for three reasons; it was available, it will be the only operating Mallet east of the Mississippi, and it's the biggest restorable engine that would fit the operation. If they need a backup engine larger and not as worn as 734 that currently exists, the Frisco Mike could be a real possibility. I don't think it was ever an excursion engine, so it hasn't operated in over 60 years.

I’m still not understanding why a locomotive that served the railroad well for 20 years is now too small.

More passengers = more weight = more power needed to haul them.

From what I have gathered, they don't want to rely on diesel helpers, which if I'm not mistaken, require a second crew to operate.

They will still need diesels with the 1309 unless they plan on shoving down the hill.

A frisco light mikado will not have more power than the 734. It also has larger drivers which in this case work against it.

Let's focus on getting their track back in order and 1309 pulling revenue trips before worrying about what they need next...

That WM 4-6-2 would be hard pressed to pull 5 cars to Frostburg. 734 would be a better option. At least it's good for 8ish.

The key to remember is the last 2 miles into Frostburg on the Cumberland & Pennsylvania. That's the limiting factor of the entire railroad. It's a tight, curvy piece of track with 3% grades. Cumberland to No. 9 switch, you could probably run a Big Boy if the track was good. But if you want to get into Frostburg itself, you have to have something that can run on the C&P, which was designed for 2-8-0s.

It's basically a lugging contest at that point. What engine can go around very sharp curves and pull a train up a 3% grade?

734 has been "too small" for at least 10 years. 13 car trains going to Frostburg are well beyond the capacity of that engine. The management at the time (who is no longer there) looked at the situation, including the mechanical status of 734, and decided that a bigger engine was the best option. Fix the turntable issue, which has been a known problem for many years, and you won't need the diesel assist for 1309. It will pull everything and more that you want to stuff behind it.

It's a situation very akin to Great Smoky Mountains in NC. 1702 was a good choice when the trains were 5 cars. Now that they are running 15-20 cars, it's not such a good choice, but you are very limited by the curves and track up there. Same deal with WMSR.

Best laid plans of mice and men and all that have certainly reared their heads, but in the end, 1309 will solve a lot of problems--eventually. It will just take time to get back to ground zero and dig out from the holes and money issues. Don't underestimate the amount of lost revenue by losing Frostburg for an entire year with the landslide while trying to keep work on 1309 progressing. Then, losing the entire 2020 season.

See I think 1702 is about right for the GSMR. Big enough to put on a show... small enough that she doesn’t cost too much to maintain and operate.

I believe the answer to that is a Shay, correct? There’s a huge one at Cass with Western Maryland heritage - I doubt they’d let it leave Cass for any appreciable amount of time. Plus the trip from Cumberland to Frostburg would take forever with a Shay... LOL! (I’m not seriously suggesting it, btw, just entertaining the question).

Having firsthand look during a walkaround myself - without any detailed mechanical or interior inspection, I saw 'enough' in 2018.

There's a phrase that applies here, 'rode hard and put away wet'.

While the washout plugs were out, simple things like not having the stack capped were sad to see, and the tender tank was visibly perforated at the sill.

Not beyond hope, but wow... nobody should assume that anything there isn't really worn. And yes, I've seen the videos. Reminded me of what you would see (and hear) on a logger on the last days. And yeah, I've seen worse. 148 was about as bad, and look at it today.