Western Maryland Scenic Railroad tells Trains Newswire today that it has acquired an F40PHR, rebuilt into an F40M-2F, No. 450, from Larry’s Truck Electric in McDonald, Ohio. The unit will be placed in service to help GP30 No. 502 pull heavy passenger trains from Cumberland, Md., on the Western Maryland grade to Frostburg, Md. Western Maryland Scenic GP30 “No. 501 is down with multiple issues, and No. 502 cannot pull the mountain by itself,” says Executive Director John Garner.
The unit started life as Amtrak No. 380, then Canadian American No. 450, before going to LTEX. Garner says the unit will get Western Maryland red and white circus colors, providing a provocative “what if” look for Western Maryland fans who might wonder what an F-unit scheme might look like on a more modern passenger unit.
Delivery is expected in coming weeks, and the railroad hopes to do a repaint before the line enters the busy autumn tourist season.
