Steam & Excursion > 1309 delayed 1 week

Posted by WMSR yesterday.
So far, no test runs or smoke plumes have been sighted over Ridgeley.

Update; 17:30; 1309 delayed 1-week.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/02/25 15:01 by bigsavage.

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There's a big out in that ad--no year.

They underestimated again?

Victor Baird

bigsavage Wrote:
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> Posted by WMSR yesterday.
> So far, no test runs or smoke plumes have been
> sighted over Ridgeley.

It’s just like this, they might be fire up #1309 and it would take time before the boiler is pressurized enough with steam along with some adjustments before tests runs as they’re now being careful about 1472 days or 15 years of service. Before the test run can begin, the Frostburg Flyer should be back at Cumberland on the return trip first to avoid interfering with rail traffic on the WM trackage from Cumberland to Frosburg.

Posted from iPhone

MiketheMikado Wrote:
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> bigsavage Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Posted by WMSR yesterday.
> > So far, no test runs or smoke plumes have been
> > sighted over Ridgeley.
>
> It’s just like this, they might be fire up #1309
> and it would take time before the boiler is
> pressurized enough with steam along with some


Doesn't mater what the steam pressure in the boiler is, if there is ANY fire in the firebox there would be smoke.


> adjustments before tests runs as they’re now
> being careful about 1472 days or 15 years of
> service.


What would that have to do with anything? Per FRA regulations, if the boiler pressure is any amount above atmosphere and there is fire in the firebox, THAT is "one service day".

Before the test run can begin, the
> Frostburg Flyer should be back at Cumberland on
> the return trip first to avoid interfering with
> rail traffic on the WM trackage from Cumberland to
> Frosburg.
 

I can't imagine them using 1472 days before 15 years unless they keep it fired all week between runs.

Posted from Android

WMSR has just announced a 1-week delay in 1309's return to service. (Facebook post)

bigsavage Wrote:
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> WMSR has just announced a 1-week delay in 1309's
> return to service. (Facebook post)

Again, no surprise to most of us.  I know several friends who want to go up to Cumberland to take a ride behind the 1309, but they will not purchase the tickets ahead of time because of these delays.  The biggest problem for many is planning the time and when coming from a distance away, making the reservations at a hotel for the weekend.  Oh well, we can't win them all.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

Slim pickings for steam this spring in the Mid-Atlantic:
WMSR 1309; "delayed due to "last-minute setbacks"...
EBT 16, unknown return 
CNJ 113, unknown return getting 1472
Northern Central 17, unknown, getting 1472
Woodstown Central 9, unknown return

OTOH, RDG2102 will be back out this month, and the Gramling's 0-4-0 will be visiting the Walkersville Southern, and the Northern Central.
C&O 614 continues to sit in Virginia

Will 611 hide in Roanoke again this summer?

Sad to see the delay.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/25 10:02 by BKLJ611.

The atmosphere got more cloudy as the week went on, Wes Heinz expressed caution in a WCBC interview released on 5/1, same day as the press release that leads this thread.
To announce that due to "last-minute setbacks" the engine is not ready seems ominous to me. IMO, this project still has not replaced Gary Bensman, and will continue to fail unless qualified steam locomotive mechanical experience is retained. 

Nothing against Western Maryland! But I do not trust these guys !

Coach fare to Frostburg $55.  Cab ride $500.

Fleecing, priceless.

Tominde Wrote:
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> Coach fare to Frostburg $55.  Cab ride $500.

geez, if this keeps up, will the air compressor fall
 off next, or a tender wheel bearing get too hot.........

bigsavage Wrote:
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> WMSR has just announced a 1-week delay in 1309's
> return to service. (Facebook post)

It’s only for a week. It will fly by before we know it. And this will potentially give WMSR more time to make last minute adjustments then take #1309 for a test run one of those days next week before next weekend.

Posted from iPhone

Wolfman Wrote:
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> Nothing against Western Maryland! But I do not
> trust these guys !

I lost too much money on previous canceled trips to even think about trying again. I still do wish them the best and prosperity. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/25 14:10 by SantaFeCF7.

I feel incredibly lucky to have ridden behind #1309 a couple of years ago in the open air car. It is a fantastic locomotive, looks and sounds great and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  I even rode my bike down the following day and got some photos of it coming up though the tunnel.  

It's a great draw, but their track record on fulfilling expectations and communicating effectively is a bit of a dumpster fire.  

  I'm sad to have to say it..but...this outfit needs to learn to stop over promising and under delivering. Their credibility now is so low that it will take a long time to repair. 

    Somehow they need to learn to STOP publishing dates that they can't make for sure. As any of us involved with steam know the break-in runs after major repairs almost always uncover bugs that need attention before the locomotive is a reliable runner. 

   Let's hope for their sake they get their act together. Hope springs eternal. Ross Rowland