C&O 2-6-6-2 To WMSR

Wow!

Outstanding. The more running, the better. Maybe someday I will be proven right.... "these stinking diesels will never catch on..."

 

Gilly

This will be an ideal locomotive for the WSMR. Light axle loadings mean it will be easy on the track, yet it will have the power to handle the train up that steep grade.

 

Will it fit on the table at Frostburg? What's the wheelbase and length?

Has CSX agreed to move this to Cumberland ?

Yes, she will fit on the turntable. I good buddy of mine, who used to work at the Western Maryland Scenic, told me that they have already done the measurements.

If the locomotive is loaded on two flat cars, then CSX will be unable to "refuse shipment", per FRA interchange rules.

YESSS!!

Holy moly..how cool.!

CeeanO  Steam alive again...incredible !   Now how about a K4!!!!!

How soon will we see her operate?

Scott Smith

Did you read the press release?

According to the museum's announcement, this is exactly how the locomotive will travel

Quoth WMSR:

"The locomotive has been moved to the B&O Railroad Museum’s restoration facility in preparation for shipment to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad shops. Once this is complete, the locomotive will travel by rail on specialized flat cars pulled by CSX."

 

Neat. An East-Coast articulated, finally

 

Was this one made in 'O'?

Finally an engine I've been able to see since I first went to the B&O Museum that has a chance to breathe again, awesome. Especially since, along with the NYC, PRR, and Conrail, Baltimore/Chesapeake & Ohio is one of my favorite East Coast railroads.

 

Now when can we expect the C&O 490 Yellowbelly to start steaming again?

wow!

The turntable at Frostburg is 100 feet, the 1309 has a wheelbase roughly around 90 feet

Now get 1218 back......I know one at a time!!

Good news for sure.

By 2016 and 734 FRA time will be up by then

Not really. Locomotive 734 received her necessary running gear repairs over the winter of 2013/2014, and she is now back in service. Locomotive 734 is due her FRA mandated 15 year inspection in 2015, so the Western Maryland Scenic has scheduled all THAT work for the winter of 2014/2015, so that she should be operational for the spring 2015 season.

 

The complete rebuild of C&O 1309 could take more than 2 years, although they are shooting for operating her in 2016.

Just stating what I read on Trains Mag news wire. 734 15 years will be up at the end of 2015 and the hope is to have 1309 ready for the start of the 2016 season. 

 

On another note 2016 may be time to take a trip out that way with my son.

Big steam back in the mountains -- congrats to WMSR and the B&O Museum for making this happen.

 

Poppyl

 All I can say is god be with them.Not the biggest locomotive but not the smallest ether.I won,t get into csx.I just wonder were are they going to get parts for it?Are they going to have new parts manufacted?I mean you can,t run down to the local truevaule store.

Maybe not the exact one. Lionel made these mallets with TMCC in 2001 and also released one with legacy in 2012. Experts correct me if I'm wrong .

 

 

when did 1309 make her last run?

This is really interesting and great news! I just hope they don't forget about the 734! Which is one of my favorite locomotives.

No, that is true, Rick.

 

I guess people can change the cab number to the C&O ones if they want to, I think I will.

I have been looking tonight, but unable to locate the source...

...but I read somewhere, or was told by someone...

...that the C&O 1309 when restored and operating, will be the largest compound articulated steam locomotive in service.

There are large tank compound articulated out West...but the 1309 will be even larger.

I will continue to verify this claim.

That is DEFINITELY a true statement!

The Lionel 2-6-6-2 is a USRA design, which on the C&O were the H-5 class.  The C&O H-6 class was a C&O design, and had some differences from the H-5.  Most notable are the cab and pilot.

 

Stuart

 

I wonder if it will be the only operating steamer with "smoke eaters" On it.   These apipelines that feed steam into the side of the firebox, and apparently were suppose to reduce smoke.   

 

Bob

Good question, but in reality it is one more thing to have to maintain.

The proper term is "Overfire Jets", and since there really are no moving parts inside each "can", maintenance shouldn't be an issue. They can be pretty handy for the Fireman when having to "over Fire" a locomotive, and the "Overtire Jets" well help with more complete combustion, and subsequent increase in heat.

Do these jet steam into the firebox above the arch to create additional draft?  

 

A dumber question.  Having seen N&W 1218 years ago and many videos of UP 3985, these simple articulated locomotives have a double exhaust sound as each set of cylinders work.  I assume as a Mallet, 1309 will have a single exhaust note like say, NKP 765?

 

Some years back, when 1309 was in front of the B&O museum, my car broke down parked almost in contact with the front set of drivers.  The museum was closed, and it took four hours for the tow truck to arrive.  I had a lot of time to look over this very interesting locomotive. 

 

Kudos to WMSR, but also to B&O for being willing to allow this locomotive be an envoy of the technology and earn some keep.

 

Bob

I think Right-of-Way models made a model of the C&O 1309 type - If memory serves I think it had the cab number 1302

The same place everyone else does:  If you can't locate it, drag out the drawings (or have new drawings made) and build or contract it.

 

Rusty

 

Isn't 1309 part of the last order of steam locos Baldwin built for a US railroad in 1949?  Also, I believe 1309 is the last of this group.  If so, it's a very historic loco!

 

This long winded post is about how much excitement (good and maybe not so good)

that 1309 has stirred up in Cumberland, Maryland.

 

Was talking today with a good friend and Cumberland resident.

He was at an event last night and the topic of 1309 came up. 

Many are excited at the potential increase to the local economy the 1309 will bring during the first few seasons.

(I know I will there, spending my hard earned $$$, like at D'Atri's in Lavale)

Most accept that after the novelty wears off, the economy may settle some.

 

However, there are always a naysayer in the crowd....I dunno why, but always one or two.

My friend had several questions that were discussed and he asked me about them this morning.

 

One concern brought up was over the 1309's weight, about bridges, culverts and will the turntable at Frostburg handle this extra weight.

I say without a doubt, most certainly YES!

I explained the light axle loading of 1309 offers and how that works.

While I do not claim to be as smart, good looking or rich as that Jack Whelihan fellow, my answers to the questions were accepted

 

All the infrastructure was designed and installed by the Western Maryland for heavy use on double tracks.

The WMSRR would have most certainly taken this in account before negotiating with the B&O RR Museum.

...but then came the question I was not able to answer immediately:

How much does the 1309 weigh and how much does the 734 weigh?

 

So, I had to look these numbers up.

From the drawing I posted earlier, the 1309 has a working weight of 643,100 pounds. (321.55 tons)

The WMSRR's 734 weighs 515,000 pounds (257.5 tons)

 

321.55 - 257.5 = 64.05 tons

 

IMHO, 64 tons is nothing.

 

 

 

 

Recall that WM ran Challengers over this route...

 

Here's a pic from July, 2010 - she looks a bit worn and looks worse now but actually looked pretty good a few years earlier.  The engine is not stored out of view behind the shops.  Until...

 

/Mitch