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Local/State Officials Conduct Closed-Door Meeting with WMSR Board

July 16th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

After the recent decision by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to move its offices out of the Railway Station in Cumberland- local officials requested a meeting with the railroad board to get an overview of current operations. That meeting, which included city, county and state representatives was held behind closed doors on Wednesday. There has been some concerns expressed that management has been targeting what little revenue that is available into the restoration of steam engine 1309- while neglecting other areas in need of attention. Railroad general manager John Garner has acknowledged losses in excess of $650,000 since the coronavirus forced the closure of the tourist attraction- with the tourist train losing100% of its revenue from ticket sales. All of this follows the release of an operational audit last year which cited numerous problems that could ultimately force the operation to shutdown. Garner has told WCBC News that while the recent actions and loss of revenue are definitely setbacks- he remains optimistic about the railroad’s future…

4 Responses to “Local/State Officials Conduct Closed-Door Meeting with WMSR Board”

  1. July 16, 2020 at 8:50 am, Jeanie said:

    Garner is a horrible individual! Glad when WMSR is gone. Always doing “blame” game on why revenue is lost………….don’t see John personally going without or his “HR”
    personnel….but yet he is always after a hand out? Things that make you go, Hmmm?

    Reply

  2. July 16, 2020 at 11:32 am, mac said:

    Don’t know what the future holds as far as tourism is concerned but we could try it without the WMSR. Take the monies that have been given to them and spread it around to other deserving businesses trying to make a go of it without begging for handouts.
    I’m guessing we’ll never know the difference.

    Reply

    • July 16, 2020 at 12:51 pm, Jay said:

      I’d rather see the money plowed into improvements at Canal Place. Even after almost 3 decades of wheel spinning down there I still believe it has potential.

      Reply

      • July 16, 2020 at 1:50 pm, LRH said:

        > Agreed, don’t know why, but I have a soft spot for Canal Place despite the chronic mismanagement.

        Reply

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