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WMSR Awarded Grant Funding for C&O 1309

February 28th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has been awarded a grant for the continuing work on our 1949 Baldwin Locomotive. The grant was awarded from The John H. Emery Rail
Heritage Trust which serves as the largest trust in the United States that makes 100% of its awards solely for railroad restoration purposes. John Emery was a long-time Chicago resident who was an avid rail enthusiast
who loved to ride trains around the world and wanted to help preserve rail equipment and infrastructure that will allow future generations to share his experiences during what he considered the “Golden Age” of railway
travel, from 1920 to 1960. This year 29 awards were made in a competitive process where over $800,000 in total was requested. The Baldwin Locomotive formally C&O 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 has been in a restoration process through Diversified Rail Services since it was transferred to us in May of 2014. The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust has awarded Western Maryland Scenic Railroad $40,000 for the efforts to bring 1309 back to service. As previously
announced, ticket sales have begun for the return of steam on the Western Maryland the weekend of 4th of July. The first trips with passengers are set to start on July 5th and run through the 7th. We anticipate a
considerable number of riders for this special occasion. More information on 1309 and ticket sales are available online at www.wmsr.com.

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