For many years, Western Maryland 734 has delighted passengers and railfans with regular excursions from Cumberland to Frostburg. In 2015, the Baldwin 2-8-0 was retired due to mandatory and costly inspections. To replace the 734, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad acquired Chesapeake & Ohio 1309 from the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum.This was the last steam locomotive built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for a domestic railroad. Once restored, it will be the largest articulated steam locomotive in regular operation in the United States. For the past four years, however, they have been running with diesels while they get the big articulated locomotive operational. It will be good to see steam back in the Alleghenies again, but until then, they are utilizing two GP30’s painted in Western Maryland colors (the 501 in red and white, the 502 in black and yellow. Not a bad substitute, and the scenery is spectacular! We are looking to the debut of Chesapeake & Ohio 1309 in 2022, and are keeping our fingers crossed!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.