CUMBERLAND, Md. — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) recently announced that 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 is ready to return to excursion service, beginning May 9. The locomotive was sidelined during the 2024 season for extensive work on the pistons, cylinders, and running gear [see “Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309 nears reassembly,” News Wire, Jan. 22, 2025].
The original debut, beginning May 3, was pushed back by one week. But during the afternoon of May 8, the “Beast of the East” was finally unleashed for test runs along the tourist railroad’s Cumberland-Frostburg main line. “After some final testing, No. 1309 is ready to roll for tomorrow evening’s Sunset on the Mountain,” a May 8 post stated on the WMSR social media pages.
The Western Maryland Scenic confirms that No. 1309 will lead the Frostburg Flyer daytime excursions from Cumberland to Frostburg, Md., every Saturday and Sunday beginning May 10. The locomotive will also be on the point of the “Sunset on the Mountain” evening excursions, every Friday beginning May 9.
Visit the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad website for more information and the complete 2025 steam schedule.
Welcome back to the active rail life dear Maryland Thunder!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün