Here's a link to the local newspaper: 1309 Ready
How about that leasing of a full dome?
Ed
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Just my opinion but, that is definitely a very poor choice of words in their headline, i.e. "100% Operational"! The 1309 may have passed her FRA hydro test, and initial steam-up, but she certainly has NOT passed her final FRA inspection for "regular service", nor has she done/completed ANY test runs over the WMSR line.
@Ed Mullan posted:
Interesting, I wonder if the dome car is the “Prairie View.”
That's what I was thinking, too Hot. Lots of testing ect, to be done before regular runs. It even states in the article, "parts to be cast" now that causes one to wonder.
Ed
Even if it is ready. The track is still in question correct?
Until that gets sorted out. They have plenty of time to iron out any issues with the locomotive. It doesn't have to be perfect to go 15mph anyway does it?
The news article said the county is taking over the track maintenance issue saving the WMSR the burden.
@cpowell posted:The news article said the county is taking over the track maintenance issue saving the WMSR the burden.
Not like the folks at WMSR were doing anything related to "track maintenance" over the last few years anyway.
@Hot Water posted:Just my opinion but, that is definitely a very poor choice of words in their headline, i.e. "100% Operational"! The 1309 may have passed her FRA hydro test, and initial steam-up, but she certainly has NOT passed her final FRA inspection for "regular service", nor has she done/completed ANY test runs over the WMSR line.
It is a misleading headline. Technically speaking, 1309 is operational. However, 1309 is not 💯 operational. The article even alluded to this fact in the subsequent paragraphs. I hope to visit the WMSR this summer to see 1309. I’ve sent them more than a few dollars in donations. Hope springs eternal.
I am very happy that wmsr will continue. With that said, the railroad needs to stand on its own two feet. Having the tax payers bail them out may cause resentment and makes wmsr’s existence one policy change away to the dust bin of history. I look forward to one day riding on it, as I’m only a few hrs away.
@Csxcellent posted:I am very happy that wmsr will continue. With that said, the railroad needs to stand on its own two feet. Having the tax payers bail them out may cause resentment and makes wmsr’s existence one policy change away to the dust bin of history. I look forward to one day riding on it, as I’m only a few hrs away.
Let’s not pretend that the WMSRR is the only historic railroad or railroad related site that benefits from an occasional investment by taxpayers. These are historically significant sites that help document the industrial revolution in the United States and are important for future generations to enjoy. Not to mention they are tourist attractions that draw money to the area that helps hotels, eateries, and other local businesses.
Now I'm no expert, I don't claim to be. But from what has been said here, elsewhere, and what I've been reading. The Western Maryland Scenic RR is not very well run? Is that fair to say? I don't mind tax payer money going to preserving history and helping out struggling tourist entities but if there's mismanagement, heads need to roll and no money until their house is in order. Is that fair to say?
@rplst8 posted:Let’s not pretend that the WMSRR is the only historic railroad or railroad related site that benefits from an occasional investment by taxpayers. These are historically significant sites that help document the industrial revolution in the United States and are important for future generations to enjoy. Not to mention they are tourist attractions that draw money to the area that helps hotels, eateries, and other local businesses.
I have seen this happen with freight short lines as well. Some people say "hey- that railroad should stand totally on its own." and by and large I agree. But taxpayers foot the bill the competing roads and highways so frankly some tax dollars being used to help out railroads only seems like fair play. It's no where near an apples to apples comparison, because the general public doesn't hop in their personnel rail diesel car and run to the next town in it while dodging freight trains, but there is some element of fair play that I feel should be considered. Tour buses don't need to pay for the road, and the buses themselves aren't the attraction. The train is the attraction and as you said, other businesses reap some benefits of a large tourist train being in the neighborhood.
100% operational...sort of. 
Journalism is dead.
Rich, I enjoyed my rides behind 765 in PA and I rode behind 611 in Virginia as well and at Strasburg. But, I really want to ride behind 1309 sometime. I was never at the WMSR before. It’s a 100 plus mile drive for us, so we would stay at a nearby hotel, there is a nice Best Western outside of town that has an indoor pool, hot tub, and a different kind of pool, a green table with balls that you hit with a long stick. There is also the Potomac Eagle nearby in West Virginia, so both could be doable in one trip on different days. Maybe ride one on Saturday and the other on Sunday. The WMSR and Potomac Eagle are only about 20 miles apart. The Eagle’s longest ride is over 100 miles round trip. They have new ownership and they want steam as well.
