Western Maryland 1309: Freight Service to Frostburg

One of our first trips of the year was truly a historic one. On the last weekend of February 2022 for the first time in history, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and Trains Magazine would hold a photo charter with Ex-Chesapeake and Ohio #1309! This was also the first time the railroad would have a photo charter with steam since 2016. Over the course of 2 days, 1309 would pull a consist of 12 vintage freight cars from Cumberland to Frostburg. After many failed attempts Trains Magazine tried to hold a photo charter with 1309, it finally happened. And it was great too see 1309 finally charging up the grade to Frostburg with a freight consist in tow!
1309 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1949 making it the last steam locomotive built by Baldwin for commercial main line use. The engine is classified as a H-6 Mallet type locomotive and was used by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad to pull heavy coal drags and the railroad. It wasn't long before 1309 would be retired in 1956. The engine would sit in storage until 1975 when it was moved to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum for static display. In 2014, 1309 was bought by The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to be restored to operation. After a multi-year restoration, 1309 finally moved under its own power on New Years Eve 2020. The engine was debuted in December 2021 on the railroads "Polar Express" trains. The engine is scheduled to run excursions from Cumberland to Frostburg this year from May through to October. So steam has officially returned to The Western Maryland!
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Filmed on February 26 & 27, 2022
This video may not be reproduced in anyway or form.

[@hawkeyeten2450]

When the world seems to be in chaos, steam trains have a powerful way of seemingly hauling you off to a very different, seemingly timeless land.1309 looks magnificent in its new home, thanks so much for posting this.

[@pierrevandyk9242]

What an absolute stunner this ex C&O H6. A gold medal to the team who restored this beauty and those who accommodated the running. We have some lovely steam going here in South Africa, but that brute is something else. Wish I could be near to hear, feel and see...

[@Ruggedrails]

Freezing weather gloomy day but u just want to be there on that loco 👍👌

[@danielboone3770]

Awesome photo freight! I'm glad Western Maryland is back on track, on top oof WM #734.

[@TyTytheTrainGuy]

Good stuff Ashton, 1309 could really put on a show.

[@keeperofsteamstudios6654]

Thanks Ty! It sure did!

[@valeriebassett3107]

Fantastic video!. I love that train. It was made the same year I was born. LOL

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

I got photos of 7471 back when it was in service on Chessie.

[@artmusicbydennis]

How to get Coal Tipple? Thanks for sharing your videos

[@howiesmith1504]

Beautiful photography, spooky quilling on that N&W "bootleg" freight whistle, similar to C&O 1300 class & 2-8-4 originals. The strongly backlit shots along the river from c. 2:00 into the 4 minute range...dawn or dusk? Gorgeous, whichever it was! Was this a Pete Lerro production? He sure has an eye for picking locations and lighting angles.

[@KflanntheRailfan]

Now did you have multiple cameras running or did the crew reverse the train snd run the train through multiple times at the photo spots?
Again another great video. Hopefully I can catch the beauty next season

[@astevenskrug4626]

Really amazing!

[@denizen9998]

This is what the 1309 was originally intended for, freight. Though on the C&O.

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome video friend!

[@Steamerchoo]

👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️🙏from Steam Freak Steve…

[@ReadingAreaRailfan]

I remember in the 6th grade I though this was a y6b 🤣 nice video Ashton

[@howiesmith1504]

At c. 20:52, she appears to be starting from a dead stop. At c. 21:00, the exhaust skips a beat or two, then resumes with a somewhat deeper tone. Was that a switch from simple to compound operation?

[@BrodieProductions412]

Nice video.

[@kinglewi_1005]

Looks like it needs a set of rings on it pistons

[@theextremeanimator4721]

You seem so eager to pull that load, huh?

[@chendersonrailproductions704]

Citizenship

[@keeperofsteamstudios6654]

Citizenship