Steam & Excursion > Restore the Thunder; WMSR #734

The latest fund-raiser for rebuild of Western Maryland Scenic 2-8-0 #734 is 2/3 of the way to goal, this is for tube sheets.
On 10/23/2015, a beautiful fall day in Frostburg, MD finds #734 whistling approaching the station, and moving on and off the infamous turntable. 

You must be a registered subscriber to watch videos. Join Today!

Thanks once again, Bigsavage, for your videos of #734.  One day, before too long, that engine will be chugging along the former Western Maryland Railway again.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

I like that nice cracking exhaust. I'll get savaged for this, but I like 734 better than 1309. Plus, it can turn at Frostburg.

When the engine comes off the turntable, there is a noticeable drop.  That cab roof looks like it shoots up into the air quite a bit.  That look was never good in HO, and it can't be good here.

Thanks for these three clips.  I really like the sound of the engine coming into the station area.

They cannot lower the turntable very easily nor raise the tracks approaching the table. Just ain't going to happen unless you have a boat load of money to give them.I'm talking millions.
Ugly situation, amateur, poor original planning, when the turntable was installed. 
 Hey, reopen the tunnel and rebuild the turntable at a better site on the other side? Now we are talking big bucks!
My 2 cents, but there are no cents anymore...
Gonut

Gonut1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>  Hey, reopen the tunnel and rebuild the turntable
> at a better site on the other side? Now we are
> talking big bucks!
> My 2 cents, but there are no cents anymore...
> Gonut
Except there are clearance restrictions in the 1857 tunnel to the point where WM used nothing bigger through there than a 4-6-2 or a B-B diesel, C&P's business car could not fit.
The attached is several interior shots of the tunnel, about 10 years ago. Tracks were removed around the end of 1972. 
Of course there are a row of townhomes at the south end to go through...

Tunnel shots from Jeremy Cooper collection

---

---

---

Thanks a lot for posting the videos. I remember from years back the engineer playing 734’s whistle as the turntable rotated.

Re: the turntable discussion. I was wondering if it would be feasible to put a wye in at the number nine switch? If so, perhaps they could turn the train on the way to Frostburg.

Steve Gass
Linden, VA
B-LineRailfan

Due to the topography, there would not be enough room for a 1309 size wye, the closest WM wye to here was Deal, PA.
My opinion is to move the turntable, to:east of the current depot, north side of the tracks,, would require some land leveling, tree removal, some track relocation.
Another option would be to remove 1309 and turntable entirely from the x-C&P trackage, reextend tracks along the WM grade to the former site of the WM depot (GAP parking lot)
Would require land alteration, relocation of parking lot. Both options would likely cost about the same, because of the earthmoving.
Here's a portion of a topo map showing all original trackage arrangements in that area.

---

---

Thanks for those tunnel pics.....

bigsavage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Due to the topography, there would not be enough
> room for a 1309 size wye, the closest WM wye to
> here was Deal, PA.
> My opinion is to move the turntable, to:east of
> the current depot, north side of the tracks,,
> would require some land leveling, tree removal,
> some track relocation.
> Another option would be to remove 1309 and
> turntable entirely from the x-C&P trackage,
> reextend tracks along the WM grade to the former
> site of the WM depot (GAP parking lot)
> Would require land alteration, relocation of
> parking lot. Both options would likely cost about
> the same, because of the earthmoving.
> Here's a portion of a topo map showing all
> original trackage arrangements in that area.

Your idea of moving the turntable east of the turntable sounds like it might be the best option. I imagine Frostburg would get fewer people venturing up to businesses during the layover if the depot were moved near the GAP parking lot.

Steve Gass
Linden, VA
B-LineRailfan

It would not be necessary to move the current depot down to the GAP Trail lot, it would serve as just the location of the turntable for steam trips.
Actually, re-extending the tracks along the WM grade would open the door to relay of a track up to Big Savage Tunnel. It is a shame that one of the most impressive scenic views on the East coast is only available to those that can ride a bike or walk to that location on the GAP Trail.
IMO, a replica WM depot would be a nice addition to the GAP lot as a visitor center...