Farewell Mountain Thunder - The Last Excursions of 734

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad bids a fond farewell to their iconic Baldwin-built 2-8-0 Consolidation #734. After many years of faithful service the time has come for the locomotive to undergo a thorough, Federally required, "1,472 day inspection." During the inspection 734 will be completely disassembled and every square inch of the locomotive will be gone over with a fine-toothed comb. New ultrasonic and hydrostatic tests must be run on the boiler, and many components will be repaired or replaced. This is a painstaking process and will take quite some time. While many railroad fans eagerly await seeing C&O 1309 making its return to the rails, we bid adieu to the Wild Mary Scenic's famous workhorse, for now. She'll be back, but for the time being she's taking a well-deserved rest.

Seen here is 734 making her last two public runs. First is the regular excursion train seen at Cumberland, Dakota, Helmstetters, Woodcock Hollow, and Frostburg, with the return trip via Patty Baker, Helmstetters, The Narrows, and back into Cumberland. We then watch 734 making the last North Pole run of the year, during which we ride with 734 on the Frostburg turntable, before seeing her arrive back in Cumberland under the cover of darkness.

Filmed December 20th 2015