The Sunday, Nov. 20, event will include explanations of Western Maryland Scenic’s car and locomotive fleet, a tour of the Ridgeley Shop and Yard, lunch, and a short “rare mileage” trip to the former Western Maryland’s wye and yard at Maryland Junction, just east of Ridgeley. Photography will be encouraged.
The highlight of the day will be extensive engagement with the No. 1309 “return to service” project. Baldwin built the 2-6-6-2 compound in 1949. It saw only six years of service on C&O mine runs in West Virginia. Western Maryland Scenic is concluding a top-to-bottom, return-to-spec, restoration with added features such as bearing temperature sensors and additional lubricating points. Participants will spend time in the shop examining the locomotive, which the tourist railroad expects to be under steam in 2017.
The 5-hour tour, which begins at 11 a.m., will be lead by John Hankey, the tourist railroad’s curator. Hankey has been involved with Western Maryland Scenic Railroad since its founding 30 years ago.
The Chapter has a limited number of slots available for sale to the public.
