Hi all
I got and email this morning from the Western Maryland Scenic RR, because I am on the email list.
The email stated that the 1309 will return to service in 2025, BUT just running weekends only. There diesels will handle the train during the week, with Steam on weekends.
For more information you should contact the railroad, or go to there webpage.. Pat.

So their website says Fridays through Sundays as the "weekend" date for 1309 this summer. No big change there, if I remember correctly, Thursdays were diesel powered trips to begin with...if that's not the case, then I'm remembering 734 days, when they ran diesel on Thursdays and steam Friday through Sunday.

Any word on WM 202? I thought the meeting with Hagerstown city council seemed to go well.

Mike Martino

Here's the latest news on No. 202. It appears no final decision has been made yet.

Fate of Locomotive 202 in Hagerstown awaits final decision
https://localnews1.org/2025/01/20/fate- ... -decision/

You'd think a Facebook group with "5000 supporters" and a bunch of people willing to sign a petition could produce enough donations and volunteer organization to get the locomotive cosmetically restored and then care for ongoing upkeep. Wouldn't you?

But I wouldn't be surprised to learn otherwise...

Hi
I think the Western Maryland Scenic has enough on there plate, just keeping the (2) locomotives they have running, without bring the Western Maryland (202) into the picture.

The railroad is about get to Steam back into service, with the 1309 going back into service this year. Once her break in runs are successful and the railroad is confident that her problems are solved, the locomotive will again be in passenger service.

As for 734, the railroad again will have its hands full, just to bring the 734 back into service.

Please don't get me wrong, I would also like to see the WM 202 running again, and on home rails, but the railroad should concentrate on the two locomotives they have now, rather than go after the 202...

For now leave the WM 202 in Hagerstown, and let the town put up a new shelter for the locomotive,, maybe when the WMSR, has the 734 back in Steam along with 1309 then maybe approach the city of Hagerstown to lease the locomotive... Pat.

I think Pat makes a very valid point. Until the WMSR gets the steam they already have back into reliable condition they're in no position to take on more.

IMHO-Ross Rowland

I agree with others, the 202 seems like they could potentially overextend themselves. They already have the 1309, they're talking about working on the 734, and don't forget that they also are reviving the Georges Creek and the ex-WM diesels over there. Seems like they don't need more added to their plate currently.

Yes, but sat the same time he suggests the city would make a major capital investment in the locomotive as a display but then be happy to lease it to the RR. Seems like an unlikely set of circumstances.

I think what is needed is a cost/benefit analysis weighing the advisability of renovating 734 vs returning WM 202 to service.

I recall from reading this forum that 734 is a “mess” and would be prohibitively costly to rebuild. At the same time, I recall (again from this forum) that WM 202 was shopped before being donated to the City of Hagerstown and is in relatively good shape. A cost/benefit analysis should determine the best possible strategy for WMSR to pursue.

If necessary, if it turns out that the WM 202 option is more economically sound, to placate the individuals in Hagerstown who believe their locomotive is being taken away, maybe WMSR can cosmetically restore 734 and trade it to the city in return for WM 202.

Mike Martino

Hagerstown doesn't seem to really want to deal with a locomotive that has strong historical ties to the city. I can't see them wanting to take care of one that doesn't. Plus the cost of reassembling / cosmetic restoration and moving 734 could probably go a decent ways towards the operational restoration.

Just my two cents.... Both 734 and 202 will require extensive work to be put in service. If the price tags are similar, then you're looking at a ROI situation. 734 should be able to drag more cars upgrade per trip than 202. Unless you're cheating with diesels.

That and its "the devil you know" and they don't have to move it.

Hi
First I would like to Thank everyone on there response's to my post,, Yes we all feel on what should be by the Western Maryland scenic RR.
But the bottom dollar, still falls on the railroad, rebuild the 734, or go after the Western Maryland Pacific..
All of you that have replied to my post, have different opinions, and I appreciate your answers..
But still it comes down to What, the Western Maryland Scenic, wants to do.. as for myself, I would like to see the 734 get rebuild, because she can pull the heavier train compared to the Pacific..
If Hagerstown still want to remove the Pacific from the Park,,, and not put anymore money into the shelter, the Pacific should either be sold, or leased to another party.
Again I still feel the Western Maryland has there hands full, as I said in my post,, I can't speak for the railroad,, or management, or what there plans are... fix the Steam locomotives, on the property at the present time...
Again I would Thank everyone that has replied,, I don't have all the answers, Pat.

Facebook post a few hours ago: the work on 1309's pistons is finished, and now they're going to start putting her back together.

They n ote their 2025 anticipated schedule has been posted, and ask that speculation on 'when the engine will be done' be held to a minimum.