After a cylinder replacement and other minor adjustments, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad #1309 returned to the rails once again- This May marked the mallet's first year back in service since late 2023, and it has been a busy year indeed! #1309 has been hard at work running practically every weekend since May, giving many people, some like me for the first time, the experience to see the back under all her glory. Come along as I chase WMSR #1309 for the first time across two days; June 28th & September 7th. I hope you enjoy! :)
People I Met:
@RailfanIan
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Special Thanks To:
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, the crews of the 1309, and all those responsible for keeping 1309 alive and running- this wouldn't be possible without them.
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00:00 - Intro
00:10 - Entering Cumberland Station, Cumberland, MD
01:20 - Idling in Cumberland, MD
02:05 - Narrows, Cumberland, MD
03:35 - Cash Valley Rd, La Vale, MD
04:55 - Woodcock Hollow Rd, Frostburg, MD
05:45 - Parkersburg Rd, Frostburg, MD
06:40 - Entering Frostburg, MD
08:10 - Idling in Frostburg, MD
08:35 - Outro
History of 1309
By 1948, the Chesapeake & Ohio railway was facing financial trouble, and needed new power quickly to serve their coal mines in Kentucky and West Virginia- instead of opting for a more modern design of steam locomotive or maybe even new diesels, the C&O opted for an older design. This manifested in an order for 10 H6 class 2-6-6-2 “Mallet” locomotives, an evolution of a design that went back all the way to 1910. 1309 would be the last of these 10 locomotives, and coincidentally would be the last locomotive built in 1949 by Baldwin for the American markets.
The H6s were quickly put to work out of Logan West Virginia on the railroad’s heaviest coal trains- a role in which they performed quite well. Their high power in a fairly agile package, courtesy of the articulated frame, allowed them to navigate the tight, twisting rails while maintaining their speed and heavy loads. However, time was catching up, and dieselization was imminent. All the H6’s would be retired by 1956, with 1308 and 1309 being the only two engines to be spared the cutter’s torch. After being stuck in storage for over 20 years, 1309 was finally donated to the B&O railroad museum in 1975 where the now cosmetically-restored Mallet would be put on static display. This would seem to be the end of 1309’s career, as she would spend nearly the next 4 decades sitting outside, slowly deteriorating.
However, fate would have other words, given that in 2014, the locomotive would be purchased by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for a full restoration to operation. After a long and exhausting restoration, almost 7 years and 3.5 Million dollars later, 1309 would finally steam again for the first time in 64 years. In addition to special seasonal excursions and photo charters, WMSR 1309 would be put to work on the railroad’s weekend trips from May to October starting 2022- a task which she performs to this day.
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