March 20th, 2024 by WCBC Radio
Lonaconing Mayor Jack Coburn and the residents of Georges Creek are not happy with a decision to allow rail traffic in their community. The 14 mile rail line between Westernport and Shaft provided freight service to the Luke Mill and has sat dormant since 2019. A lease between the rail line owner, Duncan Smith's Eighteen Thirty Group, and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad was signed in January but Mayor Coburn says that no one ever spoke to him or the community. Plans had been underway for a foot trail in 2022. County and City officials signed paperwork to move forward with a trail…
Mayor Coburn said following a meeting in late January 2024, community officials were informed that they were getting a train instead of a trail. Coburn feels this is an injustice to the people of the Georges Creek….
State Senator Mike McKay, chairman of the Scenic Railroad Board, is in Annapolis unable to comment on the story at this time.
