GREAT VIDEO DAVE, you sure covered the beast well. And caught lots of whistle action. Appreciate the shout and very great full for the invite. That was an awesome day.. one we'll always remember. 👍
It certainly was a great day, made even more enjoyable with your and Mrs. Pappy's presence. We did have a wonderful time together. For those of you who are reading this Pappy also has a really cool video of our ride together you may also enjoy watching: th-cam.com/video/M2wHzLOBLqg/w-d-xo.html
When I was a little kid back late 1950's staying at my grandparents' house up on Walnut St. in Cumberland I can remember those steam whistles when I was lying in bed late at night or early in the morning., especially on a rainy or foggy day when the sound seems to carry a lot farther. Boy does this bring back memories! About 25 years ago before it was called the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad it was called the Allegheny Central Railroad. I don't remember what the steam engine number was. We rode it first time when our kids were little. It had rained a bit in the morning. It took 3 attempts to get up that grade to Frostburg. The engineer said this is what happens when you get your sand wet!
Awesome comment Jeff! How cool it must have been to hear those steam trains back then. Really glad this video brought back some good memories for you. Always a pleasure to have you watch and write in my friend.
@@ccrx6700 Dave, the oldest memory I can recall is my grandfather up in the cab of a B&O engine over at the old (now long gone) Queen City station. I think the memory is burned into my mind because according to my Dad, who was holding me, grandpa pulled the whistle and I almost flew out of Dad's arms! I couldn't have been more than about 2 years old at the time, this would have been sometime in the mid-50's.
I love it there's a restored workhorse of the type that served the coal fields so long and well. In the hills and hollows the 2-6-6-2, not the speed kings, ruled the roost.
Really glad you enjoyed Bob. We certainly appreciate your very nice comment and for riding along with us today my friend. Those locos were specifically built for slow speed heavy hauling as you say and they did a great job at it.
I had the pleasure of riding the first revenue run of the 1309 sponsored by Trains Magazine! The railroad surprised us with an SD40 and SD35 painted in WM Speed Lettering at Frostburg. I also helped clear bush for photo lines the week beforehand.
Wow that's awesome Fred. I remember when that event occurred and thought back then I should make that run, but I didn't. Good for you, a very special trip that was no doubt. Thanks so much for checking out the video my friend.
Thank you Jerry for your kind words. I do love railroading. Work RR all year then go on 1 vacation and ride 3 scenic trains, maybe I need to see a doctor for my addiction to railroading - itis....LOL Really appreciate your joining in with us on the train ride today my friend.
Just looking at the size of the wheels drivers compressors etc you get an appreciation of the size of how you got the big horsepower in those days versus the newer GEs and EMDs today. Just listening to the exhaust and then seeing the smoke and steam curling through the tunnel just brings it alive that much more Great weather through Scenic Countryside and you feel like it was back in the early fifties. Ah yes, those pesky cinders can't get more realistic
Thank you so much Paul for the totally awesome comment! GE has 42 inch wheels and EMD 40 to give you a comparison 1309 has 56 inch drivers. It was just great being beside this magnificent locomotive, almost made the hair stand up on back of my neck. Really appreciate your joining in with us on the ride today my friend.
No argument from me on that Will! This was great, but personally I like the whistle on the Shay at Cass a bit better, but no complaints about this one either. Thanks so much my friend for taking the ride with me today.
That would have made a good picture James, me in my short pants shoveling coal.... LOL If I ever do go back, will pay the extra to have a cab ride in this awesome locomotive. But I will be wearing my bib overalls when I do that! Really appreciate your joining us on the ride today my friend.
My Grandfather was a pipe fitter on K4's etc. at the Altoona shops. He took great pride in his work. I know he worked on 1361 that sat at the Horseshoe curve for years.
How awesome is that russell! K4's were the pride and joy of PRR. I'm sure your grand father did take great pride in his work, I would love to have talked with him. 1361 is now in railroaders museum at Altoona in many pieces, bet your grand father could put her back together! We visited there a few years ago. Great place to visit. Thanks so much my friend for taking the ride with us today.
@@ccrx6700 I hope I get to see it operational one of these years but it just seems to go on and on and worse and worse. Really sad what that engine has gone through. It came though here (about an hour and a half east of Altoona in the 70's (?) but I wasn't here so missed it. TY for your kind words. I would have loved to had more time with him at the curve. You do great work that I really enjoy, keep it up.
Yes sir Jim. C&O had some steep grades to pull and wanted these powerful beasts for their heavy hauling coal drags and they did the job. Also remember as I said in the video, steam was compounded, used more than once which was a more efficient use of steam. Always is a pleasure to have you join us and have your write in my friend. We really appreciate your watching.
Dave, I'm just glad you are enjoying yourself and are willing to show others what you enjoy. That horn was something else and the guy blowing it was a master at his craft.
Thank you Hugh, so glad you enjoyed. Our engine man that day was a volunteer from a scenic RR in Vermont who gave up his time to come and run here for awhile. He knew his stuff around steam! Always a pleasure to hear from you my friend.
Perfect timing Dave. Was just starting lunch when your post came up. She's a beauty all right! Love that exhaust beat (especially in the tunnel) and there's no excuse for not hearing her coming 🙂 Thanks for the ride!
It’s been years since I’ve experienced the mighty power of a steam engine! Oh that soot from the coal on your shorts brought back a fond memory for me! A night time ride would of been spectacular seeing some of the glowing ash coming out of the stack! Thank you so much for sharing the ride Dave… much appreciated!
Oh how awesome that would have been Paul to see her pulling grade after dark. I love those YT videos of steam traction engines pulling after dark with all those sparks. Thanks so much for riding along with us behind 1309 my friend. It is an magnificent locomotive.
Awesome video. Love the steam locomotives. Grandfather retired from the former Reading R.R. in 1965. He put 50 years of service with the Reading.started as a Call boy. He said when they got rid of the steam locomotives that was the end of true railroading.Nice scenic video.
Thanks Michael for the cool story. I've read that many of the old timers were pretty slow to adopt the new diesels. Appreciate very much your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.
Would have been nice to meet you in person. I usually head out late to ride bike (after 5:00pm) and rarely I see the steam engine at that time. It’s usually sounding either around 11:00am or 4:00 pm. As of this writing due to getting colder, I hardly hear it anymore. @ 20:44 I actually saw a turtle on the trail 2 years ago. Not sure where he came from. I put him as far into the woods as possible away from danger.
Someday we will meet up my friend. I will go back and ride 1309 again, only this time will pay the extra for a ride in the cab. We get turtles in the middle of our tracks often in the spring time, they somehow manage to get in the middle and then can't find their way out. I'm sure Mrs. Turtle appreciated your getting her husband back home safely after he did his day's work track inspecting.... LOL Always a treat to hear from you my friend.
Thank you raylz. It was awesome. Work RR all the time then go on vacation for 1 week out of the year and ride scenic.... I got to go see a doctor to get help for my addiction to railroad-itis....LOL Always is a pleasure to have you pay us a visit my friend. Glad you enjoyed today's ride.
Love big steam. I got the chance to see the Union Pacific 4014 "Big Boy" when it came out West last month... talk about huge!! ALCO 4-8-8-4 , articulated, 68" drivers, stands 16 feet high, weighs 1,200,000 lbs... it certainly is a big boy. Really cool that you were able to get close up and even in the cab, they wouldn't let us get that close to 4014. Awesome video, there's nothing like a whistle echoing through the mountains, thanks for taking us along! And I agree... they need to ditch that music.
Saw the Big Boy on static at Steamtown Henry that was just totally impressive. If I was there like you with it under steam the hair would stand up on the back of my neck. Good for you that you got to be up close to that guy. I'm jealous but happy for ya. Appreciate very much your taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.
I passed the video as you were showing us around #1309 & explaining the pin that makes it an Articulated. I am glad that Western Maryland is running #1309. But my pipe dream is - since I have heard that there are companies who still build steam locomotives- that someone with enough money will have a brand new Allegany (2 - 6 - 6 - 6) built. Ah, just another pipe dream. Although not a railroad man, I did work in a steam engineering plant that suplied steam to the local Hospital in our town. My title was Stationary Boiler Fireman. We had 4 Babcox & Willcox water tube Boilers each as big as a two story house. Thank you very much for this & your other videos.
Back in the day a whole lot of stuff was run and heated by steam. When I worked at the power plant in the 1970's the boilers there were B&W. Those monstrous things were 6 stories high Earl and ate had a voracious appetite for coal. Thank you for taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.
Beautiful engine, thank you for sharing Dave. Coal smoke, whistle moan, and stack talk. This ride has it all. Love that they have not converted this loco to oil burning. Coal is gods gift of fuel to mankind
Thank you Tom for the awesome comment. This was special to be around such a magnificent locomotive. Really appreciate your riding along with us my friend.
It certainly is Arkay. WMSC did a phenomenal job in getting this loco back under steam Tons of adversity they faced and can you imagine the money they had to come up with to do such a project of astronomical dimensions. Always is a pleasure to have your visit with us and write in my friend.
The H-6 class were built for mine run service in the coalfields. The 1309 and her sisters spent their brief lives working the coalfields around Logan W Va. The 2-6-6-2 wheel arrangement was ideal for the lighter rail and sharper curves on most mine runs. C &O's H classes were the backbone of the coal branches.
Yes sir, those locos were built for slow speed heavy hauling. I did not know 1309 worked around Logan, thanks very much for that info Mitch! It was awesome being that close to this magnificent locomotive, almost made the hair stand up on back my neck. Really appreciate your riding along with us today.
Good video Dave. Several FYI things. When standing near the front engine of the loco, ( 1:51 ) above the crosshead guide and behind the valve gear is a device with a lot of tubes coming out of it. That is the mechanical lubricator. It is driven by the link off the shaft of the valve gear and operates by a ratchet to operate pistons inside to move oil to the needed points. You will notice that there is another one sitting just to the rear and above the steam cylinder. ( 2:06 ) Different types of oil so the need for different lubricators. There should also might be some on the rigid mounted set of cylinders. The cylinders and valve on the steam chest are lubed by the two small tubes near the top of the cylinders. The two air pumps are cross compound units. There are 4 pistons in them with two being for steam and two being for air and they are double acting unlike on your Diesels. The steam portion is on the top and jacketed. The air part is on the bottom and not jacketed. That was the thumping sounds that you hear. Much better than the older single cylinder ones as they are more forgiving about self starting.
Thank you so much gravelydon for the very detailed and informative comment. Wish I had your knowledge! Steam has always fascinated me. 1309 is just a magnificent piece of art. Almost made the hair on the back of my neck stand up being beside her. Really do appreciate your taking the time to ride with us and write in my friend. Always is a pleasure to hear from you.
Great video Dave! I have never seen video from a steam train in a tunnel before! All of that soot on you must make you feel like your really a part of the action! Really cool train action Dave, thanks for sharing! 😊
Thank you so much for the very nice comment. Asked the wife to scoop up all those cinders on my pants so I could take them home, she just rolled her eyes at me. Now you know why I said you had a good wife that obeyed you.... :-) it was an awesome ride and being that close to 1309 was an absolute thrill for me. Such a magnificent locomotive. Really appreciate your going on the ride with us today my friend.
it sure is Preston. Almost made the hair stand up on the back of my neck being that close to such a magnificent steam machine as this. Totally awesome. Thanks so much for riding along with us today my friend.
What a locomotive! The amount of engineering that went into it is incredible..with no computers helping! You're sure finding some beautiful scenery to share with us. Thanks for another great video Dave!👍👍
You make an excellent point Jim, all that engineering was done on paper by hand with no computers to help. Wonder if any of these guys now a days could do that! Really glad you had a good time and we appreciate your riding along with us today my friend.
It certainly is Dave. would love to have a photo op with #4 beside this one! You've got to take a ride on this one, you'll love it. Don[t ride in a coach or all you'll hear is piped in music, no fun at all that way. Always is a pleasure to hear from you my good friend.
We just rode in the dome car. Not as interactive, but awesome views of both power units. We’ll have to schedule a day on the J and L narrow gauge steam experience, where you build the fire, run the engine, and put it to bed.
Thanks for this delightful video. Kind of like a time machine, taking one back a century or two. That locomotive was made the year I was born. Millions of years ago tectonic plates collided, crinkled and crumpled - and so those mountains.
Your welcome my friend. Millions of years ago the plants and trees died to form the coal to run this locomotive too. Someone else write in that back when 1309 was designed they didn't have computers to assist them, just drawing boards, T squares and pencils. Wonder how many guys could do that now without a computer to help. Good food for thought. Very much appreciate your riding along with us today my friend.
This is only a fraction of the great time I know you guys had on this trip ! Nice to see Pappy with you as well. Cumberland is my dad's home town; I miss going there. Hope I can take ride soon! Thanks for sharing your trip!
Your welcome Patrick. Cumberland is a nice town, Virtual Railfan just a week ago put up a rail cam so you can get a view of the town and the WM depot if you ever want to "spy" on your dad....LOL It's a great ride, you will enjoy it. Thanks so much for paying us a visit today my friend.
It certainly is Kevin. Western Maryland did an awesome job of getting 1309 back under steam despite many, many 'adversities they encountered along the way. Always is a pleasure to have you join in with us and hear from you my friend.
Dave, hello to you and your wife. Thanks for the AWESOME, AWESOME ride on 1309! Your enthusiasm is fantastic! Take care and keep bringing us these wonderful videos!
Awesome video, Dave! It sounds like you had a blast that day!! Besides the video, it was enjoyable to hear you having such an awesome time! Have an excellent day, Dave!
Thank you for the nice comment and for watching exDrBob1. It was a great day for sure. Really appreciate your taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.
You blessed man, the first and last steamer I was able to ride behind was old No.6 a 2-6-0 with 50 inch drivers on the East Jordan & Southern R.R. I was 4 years old.
Thank you very much Roberta for the very nice comment. We really appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend. Even at such a young age, one never forgets a ride behind steam.
It's a good ride Tom, you will enjoy it. 1309 is magnificent. Thank you very much for taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.
Thank Dave for taking us along It all way good to see the old locomotives run. I was very young when I saw the only steam engine run. I can just can remember it. Later I found out it was on the L&N line. Thanks again Dave for a great video!
Your very welcome John, glad you enjoyed the trip. It was a good ride. L&N became part of what is now CSX if I remember correctly. Always is a treat to have you pay me a visit my friend.
This just an awesome experience. We rode in a climate controled car(mainly due to the fact that I had lung issues ). Even the women enjoyed it, making plans to make the trip again. Going up the grade out of Cumberland, I looked towards the rear, looked like the diesel was working hard. I thought the 1309 would be able to pull the grade with no problem. Encourage all to make this trip.
it certainly was Bob, so glad you got to ride on it. Don't blame you a bit for coach if you have lung problems, Brush Tunnel would have been hard on your lungs. Can't say about the diesel, all we could hear was 1309! And loved every minute of it. Really appreciate your watching and writing in today my friend.
It certainly is Gary. King of steam east of the Mississippi. Almost made the hair stand up on the back of my neck just being that close to it. Thanks so much for the very nice comment and for riding along with us today my friend.
I guess so Michael, big time You Tube star.... LOL Actually my friend I am an extreme introvert, believe it or not. When go to work if I say good morning and then good night at the end of the shift, that is enough conversation for me.
A-MAZ-ING, Dave! Such a handsome engine AND that hooter whistle! That'll give a steam lover some chills...the good kind. I love the contrasting colors on the tender. That Western Maryland Fireball scheme is SOOO much better in color! The old B&W photos from back-in-the-day just don't do that paint scheme justice. Now, how about those cinders!? That was impressive....that you actually caught the cinders mid-air just raining back down to earth. If you look at old pictures from when steam was running every day, some good examples are from Norfolk & Western's Blue Ridge grade and near the Hermosa Tunnels on UP's Sherman Hill grade, you can actually see cinders so deep next to the right-of-way that it looks like black/grey snow! Even 70+ years later, like on the Rio Grande's Tennessee Pass line, cinders are just a part of the ground composition for 30+ feet on either side of the track. That tunnel shot was the ultimate, Dave! I'm glad you kept shooting all the way through. To see the exhaust and the steam curling all the way down to the floor and back into the train was the coolest (warmest 😉) thing! I must someday stand inside that tunnel as the train blasts through. Just imagine the exhaust blasts out of the stacks of double-headed WM I-2 Decapods as they pulled for all their worth through that tunnel! Thanks, Dave! Another great railroadin' adventure for us all to enjoy. 👍👍
Wow thanks Scotty for the awesome comment. W< colors are really cool and you're right, black and white just don't do them justice. Back in the day, track gangs would spend their careers hand digging out the ballast and sifting the cinders out, what a hard way to earn a living that had to have been. I like cribbing with my excavator! Riding inside Brush Tunnel was really neat, feel the steam, it fogged up my glasses. WM had some pretty big engines back then, the decapods and some challengers, pretty good grades for heavy hauling coal drags and timber, which was their bread and butter. Really appreciate your riding along with me today my friend.
Thank you very much bobblenuts for the very nice comment. We really appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend. Whistle is pretty cool, but personally I like Cass whistle a bit better.
Yep Christopher, had the wife scoop up all the cinders and take them home with us for display.... LOL Just kidding, but I did tell her to do that, she just rolled her eyes and shook her head. Really swell of you my friend to join in with on the train ride today.
I never rode behind a steam locomotive, except at Disneyland, but that doesn't count. I did see plenty of them in the early 1950's in Cleveland, on the Erie, Pennsylvania and New York Central railroads. It was near the end of the steam era, and diesels were quickly taking over. Thanks for the adventure. Jon, on the U.P., Pacific Coast Line. Santa Barbara Sub, M.P. 404.5
I rode Disneyland in 1977 but don't remember a thing about it. Glad you enjoyed the home movie today Jon. We really appreciate your joining with us for the ride my friend.
Thank you Albe Lock. So glad you enjoyed. This was a great ride right behind her. No way was I gonna ride in a coach, all they heard was piped in music. Very much appreciate your riding along with us tonight my friend.
the 2662 mallet engines were huge, powerful, and amazing! personally I think that they are better design then the “big boy” 4884 engine. was this excursion in west Virginia? you make these events so enjoyable, all the information that you bestow on the viewers is always facts that you were not aware of , thanks so much, have a great night, and be safe out there!
1309 is the king of steam east of the Mississippi. They are an awesome engine with excellent design. Very reliable for the C&O back in the day. They did the job of hauling heavy coal drags over the Allegheny Mountains. Thank you so much Barry for the really kind words and for riding along with us today my friend.
I believe that the mallet 2662 vs 4884 big boy will be able to run on the tight curves of the north east along with clearance for the tunnels. while out west and central USA has large sweeping curves , and minimal tunnels. the power of both engines are amazing especially when you consider the time they were made. what killed steam was the labor intensive maintenance on the engines. coaling and water stations every so many miles, on the old NYC they had “on the fly’ water pick up locations. What a great video, hope all is well, take care and stay healthy. barry
Thanks so much Barry for the awesome comment. PRR had water troughs in the track for pick up on the go also. Those troughs had to be a real pain for track maintenance crews to work around! You're right, the diesels had it all over steam for ease of operation and so much less maintenance.
That sure would be a sound you'd remember Scott. Would be awesome to be off in the distance and hear it. Very much appreciate your joining us for the ride today my friend. Although this whistle was just great, my personal preference is the one of Cass Shay.
it certainly was Beverly. Almost made the hair stand up on the back of my neck being that close to such a magnificent locomotive as that. A day we will never forget. Always is a treat to have you visit with me and write in my friend.
it certainly is David. The king of steam east of the Mississippi. Western Maryland did an awesome job of getting this loco back under steam. Really appreciate your stopping by and watching today my friend.
Thank you Eric. WM fireball is really colorful, I got a 3 foot by 2 foot lighted up fireball sign in my train room, paid too much for it, but couldn't resist it. Really glad you enjoyed and it's always a treat to have you visit with me my friend.
Thank you for the very kind comment KC. Always a pleasure to have you visit with us my friend. Hope you enjoyed the ride behind 1309, it is one awesome locomotive.
it is magnificent for sure Gary. Was totally awesome to be beside it. I have heard they are building a T1 but know little about who or it's progress. That will be so wonderful to have happen if they can get it done. Thanks so much for joining us on the ride my friend.
it was a very good day Lawrie, what a magnificent locomotive 1309 is, almost made the hair stand up on back of my neck being close to it. Really appreciate your riding along with us today my friend.
If you get the chance, it is well worth going. WMSR is a first class operation. if you do go, don't ride in a coach cause you won't hear the engine working, all you will hear is piped in music. Thank you my friend for visiting with us tonight and riding along.
Glad you enjoyed Ezekiel. It is a magnificent machine. Almost made the hair stand up on back my neck being that close to such awesome power. Very much appreciate your riding along with us today my good friend.
Thank you so much Doug, glad you enjoyed. These 2-6-6-2 locos were built for low speed heavy hauling which is why C&O got so many of them to haul their heavy coal drags over the Allegheny Mountains, they also served the logging industry in the western parts of USA. Always is a pleasure to have you visit with me and write in my good friend.
Thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed. Did you ever get the chance to run steam as an engineer? Figure steam was way over with by the time you started, but UP has an awesome steam program. Just wondering. Thanks so much my friend for riding along with us tonight. I loved every minute of the trip.
Awesome Sue. Last time we visited WMSR we drove over to the shops there hoping to get a glimpse at 1309, that was before it was under steam, but it was in barn and didn't get to see it then. How lucky are you to hear that whistle all the time! Really appreciate your watching the video and writing in today my friend.
Really glad you enjoyed Russell, this loco is king of the steam east of the Mississippi. I've been so looking forward to riding it. Always is a pleasure to have you visit with me my friend.
Wow!! A 2-6-6-2!!?? That's a huge engine for an excursion! Is that the biggest passenger train steamer running in the US (not including the Big Boy)? 🤩 and the glimpse inside the cab...oh wow, would've loved to have an explanation of what all those gauges and levers did. Really fantastic! Happiness is a lap full of cinders....just sayin' 😁
It was magnificent Jennifer. It is the largest articulated steam loco east of the Mississippi that is in operation. Happiness is a lap full of cinders, I know that feeling! Wanted the wife to scoop them up and take them home with us. She just rolled her eyes when I said that. Really appreciate your riding along with us today my friend.
Thanks so much gunsaway1 for joining us on our train ride today. Don't know about the fire man, but the engine man was a volunteer from a scenic RR somewhere in Vermont. He was good so I'm sure he gave his expert tips to the young fire man. And that's the best way to learn from an old experienced hand who knows what he's doing.
Two differences Valerie, you weren't made by Bladwin and you just turned 48 if my calculations are right! :-) It is a very enjoyable ride, however if you go and ride in an enclosed coach, you won't hear much of the engine working, just piped in music. Thanks for checking out tonight's home movie my friend.
@@ccrx6700 I'm like you, I want to hear the sound, not the music. Sometimes when I watch a movie, they have the music so loud, that I have trouble hearing what they are saying. Haha! Thanks for sharing your wonderful videos.
It's amazing how something that big with so many moving parts can work so efficiently ... Thx Dave ... Enjoyed it very much ... You looked like an old chunk of coal and proud of it 🤣😅😂
it certainly is Eddy. These big locos were slow speed but built for heavy hauling and they did a great job at that in their day. Wanted to take those cinders home and put them on display. I told wife to sweep them up and keep them, she just shook her head and rolled her eyes. I think I have a mental problem/addiction..... railroad - itis. Gonna need go get some therapy..... LOL Really appreciate your joining us on our ride today my friend.
Nice trip Dave, looked like a good ride. Can't beat steam power. Must say I'd rather hear a Southern whistle but I kinda got use to hearing the Norfolk-Western sound. Just makes me think of steam boat. lol! Thanks my friend.
Thanks Rick, it was magnificent. Although the whistle was awesome, my personal preference is the one on the Cass Shay, so I hear you on your Southern. it did sound like a steam boat, I never thought of that. Appreciate your joining us on the ride my friend.
Some more awesome videos! Neat to see up in the cab and all the controls and the layout. The open air car is indeed the best way to get the full experience of the magnificent 1309. You have great views of 1309 in action and the tunnel section of your video was spectacular too. 👍
Thank you Lewis, was great to have you ride along with us today. WM had cinder beware signs up. Cass had the tour guide make an announcement. Several children in a couple of seats ahead of us wore goggles! Good idea. Appreciate your writing in and for watching my friend.
Great job! Only thing better would have been having the camera right by a set of driver wheels to catch them rods, drivers and steam cylinders at work. Thanks for taking us!
Thank you Earl, glad you enjoyed. That would be pretty cool to mount a camera to see those. Not sure if they would allow me to do it or not. Really appreciate your riding along with us today my friend. 1309 is just totally awesome.
Appreciate the nice comment commonsense. There are only 2 Allegheny locos left, one is at the Henry Ford Museum and the other at B&O Museum, I've seen the one at B&O. 1309 was once in the B&O before coming to WMSR. Thank you very much for taking the time to visit with us and may you have a very good day my friend.
That was awesome Dave reminds me of when the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 visited Southern California in October 2019 and I got to see it and pace it when it left. I have a few short videos of it that I posted although I’m not the best at doing that kind of stuff. I enjoy your videos and I subscribed to both your channels
Oh wow that had to be so cool to be beside 1014. We visited Steamtown and saw 4012 but it was static and rusting away badly, still totally impressive. The ride behind 1309 was awesome. Really appreciate your joining us on both channels my friend.
It certainly is Aimee. What a magnificent locomotive 1309 really is and what a thrill for me to be along side of it. Really appreciate your dropping by and watching the show today my friend.
Thank for the ride Dave, she is a beast of an engine and puffing out some good pretty good ash and cinders all over you, going to call you dirty Dave lol. Cheers and have a great weekend my friend.
Really glad you enjoyed Pete. We certainly appreciate your very nice comment and for riding along with us today my friend. And, you can call me anything you want, except late for dinner :-)
Magnificant catches of the steam locomotive, I like it 5 stars, keep up the great work, my friend, i subscribed your channel, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.
Thank you Vasco and welcome to our community, we are glad to have you with us and hope you will continue to enjoy. Here is an introduction video to get you a feel for what all we do here at the Railroad and a bit about our mine: th-cam.com/video/oOug0z34118/w-d-xo.html Lot's of cool RR videos on our home page if you would sometime care to check any of them out. th-cam.com/users/ccrx6700
Oh for sure on that Tom, a steam whistle after dark or in the fog is just awesome and 1309 sure has a good sounding one. Really appreciate your taking the time to check out the video my friend.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and write in Doc from Down Under. This is one awesome locomotive! May you have a most blessed holiday season my friend.
Real nice video Dave. I rode that line quite a few times in the late 80s and early 90s most recently in 2016 (rode in the caboose, unfortunately a rock slide closed off part of the line and we couldn't go all the way to Frostburg). I'm assuming that water column was recently installed as I don't remember it being there before. Thanks Jim
Thank you Jim, really glad you enjoyed. We rode 2 years ago and a year before that and the water fill station was there both times. Kind of odd they don't fill in the shop at Ridgely tho? Always enjoy hearing from you my friend.
Fantastic. That locomotive is massive the cab looks like a ballroom LOL. Love the sound in the tunnel, like you the only music I want to hear is made by the loco and train. I have heard with Big Boy they had to clear the cinders with bulldozers every so often I bet this loco could give them a run for their money.
Thank you cedarcam, glad you enjoyed. It was awesome to ride behind her. No doubt the huge steamers made a lot of cinders. Back in the days where everyone had steam, cleaning cinders out of ballast was a regular job. Hand shovel the ballast out and sift the ballast. Wow what a way to make a living doing that all day. I like cribbing ties with my excavator a whole lot better.... LOL Thanks so much my friend for riding along today.
fantastic video. She is a beast. I must say, I have never been on the train before. Anytime I am near steam I am either in the cab, or on the ground filming and chasing. That tunnel part was awesome indeed. thank you for sharing this ride! :)
Thank you so much Bryan. Next time I go there it will be on a cab ride. How great it is you get to do that. Brush tunnel was so neat to have that steam blow up on me. Really appreciate your riding along with us tonight my friend.
@@ccrx6700 My cab rides sometimes have me in the left hand seat busy with the boiler, and track ahead. My first ever experience was hand firing the parked NKP 765 keeping her hot. My thumb and that back head got to know each other very well trying to get the coal to the front of the firebox. you know what, that back head don't move when you hit it...and it is hard! LOL
@@s16100 And that is why I like oil fired steam engines. So much easier on the back. And other parts of the body. Most likely time to meet the backhead on them is when you throw a shovel full of sand in the firebox to sand out the flues.
@@gravelydon7072 Well, I can't argue on the easier on the body part of your statement! LOL but there is nothing like the smell of burning coal, and the skill involved in keeping that fire in order. Though you do need to keep the atomizing steam pressure right for the amount of oil going in on an oil burner or you will have a furnace explosion with oil. So both require knowledge to fire for sure. :)
GREAT VIDEO DAVE, you sure covered the beast well. And caught lots of whistle action. Appreciate the shout and very great full for the invite. That was an awesome day.. one we'll always remember. 👍
It certainly was a great day, made even more enjoyable with
your and Mrs. Pappy's presence. We did have a wonderful
time together. For those of you who are reading this Pappy
also has a really cool video of our ride together you may also
enjoy watching:
th-cam.com/video/M2wHzLOBLqg/w-d-xo.html
@@ccrx6700 awesome, thank you Dave
When I was a little kid back late 1950's staying at my grandparents' house up on Walnut St. in Cumberland I can remember those steam whistles when I was lying in bed late at night or early in the morning., especially on a rainy or foggy day when the sound seems to carry a lot farther. Boy does this bring back memories! About 25 years ago before it was called the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad it was called the Allegheny Central Railroad. I don't remember what the steam engine number was. We rode it first time when our kids were little. It had rained a bit in the morning. It took 3 attempts to get up that grade to Frostburg. The engineer said this is what happens when you get your sand wet!
Awesome comment Jeff! How cool it must have been to hear
those steam trains back then. Really glad this video brought
back some good memories for you. Always a pleasure to have
you watch and write in my friend.
@@ccrx6700 Dave, the oldest memory I can recall is my grandfather up in the cab of a B&O engine over at the old (now long gone) Queen City station. I think the memory is burned into my mind because according to my Dad, who was holding me, grandpa pulled the whistle and I almost flew out of Dad's arms! I couldn't have been more than about 2 years old at the time, this would have been sometime in the mid-50's.
@@jeffsutherland1602 awesome Jeff 😊👍
I love it there's a restored workhorse of the type that served the coal fields so long and well. In the hills and hollows the 2-6-6-2, not the speed kings, ruled the roost.
Really glad you enjoyed Bob. We certainly appreciate your
very nice comment and for riding along with us today my friend.
Those locos were specifically built for slow speed heavy hauling as you say and they did a great job at it.
I had the pleasure of riding the first revenue run of the 1309 sponsored by Trains Magazine! The railroad surprised us with an SD40 and SD35 painted in WM Speed Lettering at Frostburg. I also helped clear bush for photo lines the week beforehand.
Wow that's awesome Fred. I remember when that event occurred and thought back then I should make that run, but I didn't. Good
for you, a very special trip that was no doubt. Thanks so much
for checking out the video my friend.
Dave you are one of the best ambassadors for the love of railroading...a pure rail fan. Long life and health to you and the missus!
Thank you Jerry for your kind words. I do love railroading. Work
RR all year then go on 1 vacation and ride 3 scenic trains, maybe
I need to see a doctor for my addiction to railroading - itis....LOL
Really appreciate your joining in with us on the train ride today my friend.
@@ccrx6700 Have you seen the East Broad Top RR? Worth a trip to central PA.
Just looking at the size of the wheels drivers compressors etc you get an appreciation of the size of how you got the big horsepower in those days versus the newer GEs and EMDs today. Just listening to the exhaust and then seeing the smoke and steam curling through the tunnel just brings it alive that much more Great weather through Scenic Countryside and you feel like it was back in the early fifties. Ah yes, those pesky cinders can't get more realistic
Thank you so much Paul for the totally awesome comment!
GE has 42 inch wheels and EMD 40 to give you a comparison
1309 has 56 inch drivers. It was just great being beside this
magnificent locomotive, almost made the hair stand up on
back of my neck. Really appreciate your joining in with us on
the ride today my friend.
My old stomping grounds...I was raised in Frostburg. The tracks go right beside my brothers house.
It is a very nice area Michael. Thank you so much for dropping
by and taking in today's home movie my friend.
Nothing beats a steam whistle!
No argument from me on that Will! This was great, but personally
I like the whistle on the Shay at Cass a bit better, but no complaints
about this one either. Thanks so much my friend for taking the
ride with me today.
Hi Dave, I half expected to see you standing on the footplate with a coal shovel in your hand! Great video, stay safe!
That would have made a good picture James, me in my short pants
shoveling coal.... LOL If I ever do go back, will pay the extra
to have a cab ride in this awesome locomotive. But I will
be wearing my bib overalls when I do that! Really appreciate
your joining us on the ride today my friend.
My Grandfather was a pipe fitter on K4's etc. at the Altoona shops. He took great pride in his work. I know he worked on 1361 that sat at the Horseshoe curve for years.
How awesome is that russell! K4's were the pride and joy of PRR.
I'm sure your grand father did take great pride in his work, I
would love to have talked with him. 1361 is now in railroaders
museum at Altoona in many pieces, bet your grand father could
put her back together! We visited there a few years ago. Great
place to visit. Thanks so much my friend for taking the ride
with us today.
@@ccrx6700 I hope I get to see it operational one of these years but it just seems to go on and on and worse and worse. Really sad what that engine has gone through. It came though here (about an hour and a half east of Altoona in the 70's (?) but I wasn't here so missed it. TY for your kind words. I would have loved to had more time with him at the curve. You do great work that I really enjoy, keep it up.
That's a 2-6-6-2 wheel arrangement. 4 steam pistons driving 12 drive wheels. Good for pulling heavy weight like you said.
Yes sir Jim. C&O had some steep grades to pull and wanted these
powerful beasts for their heavy hauling coal drags and they did
the job. Also remember as I said in the video, steam was
compounded, used more than once which was a more efficient
use of steam. Always is a pleasure to have you join us and
have your write in my friend. We really appreciate your
watching.
What an awesome ride. Thanks for taking us along Dave!
Very glad you enjoyed Eddie. We really appreciate your
writing in with the nice comment and for taking the trip with
us today my friend.
Dave, I'm just glad you are enjoying yourself and are willing to show others what you enjoy. That horn was something else and the guy blowing it was a master at his craft.
Thank you Hugh, so glad you enjoyed. Our engine man that
day was a volunteer from a scenic RR in Vermont who gave
up his time to come and run here for awhile. He knew his
stuff around steam! Always a pleasure to hear from you
my friend.
Perfect timing Dave. Was just starting lunch when your post came up. She's a beauty all right! Love that exhaust beat (especially in the tunnel) and there's no excuse for not hearing her coming 🙂 Thanks for the ride!
Really glad you enjoyed Richard. We certainly appreciate your
very nice comment and for riding along with us today my friend.
It’s been years since I’ve experienced the mighty power of a steam engine! Oh that soot from the coal on your shorts brought back a fond memory for me! A night time ride would of been spectacular seeing some of the glowing ash coming out of the stack! Thank you so much for sharing the ride Dave… much appreciated!
Oh how awesome that would have been Paul to see her pulling
grade after dark. I love those YT videos of steam traction engines
pulling after dark with all those sparks. Thanks so much for
riding along with us behind 1309 my friend. It is an magnificent
locomotive.
Awesome video. Love the steam locomotives. Grandfather retired from the former Reading R.R. in 1965. He put 50 years of service with the Reading.started as a Call boy. He said when they got rid of the steam locomotives that was the end of true railroading.Nice scenic video.
Thanks Michael for the cool story. I've read that many of the old timers were pretty slow to adopt the new diesels. Appreciate
very much your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.
@@ccrx6700 You are quite welcome.
Would have been nice to meet you in person. I usually head out late to ride bike (after 5:00pm) and rarely I see the steam engine at that time. It’s usually sounding either around 11:00am or 4:00 pm. As of this writing due to getting colder, I hardly hear it anymore.
@ 20:44 I actually saw a turtle on the trail 2 years ago. Not sure where he came from. I put him as far into the woods as possible away from danger.
Someday we will meet up my friend. I will go back and ride
1309 again, only this time will pay the extra for a ride in the
cab. We get turtles in the middle of our tracks often in the spring
time, they somehow manage to get in the middle and then
can't find their way out. I'm sure Mrs. Turtle appreciated your
getting her husband back home safely after he did his
day's work track inspecting.... LOL Always a treat to hear from
you my friend.
@@ccrx6700
Lol. 👍🏻😁👍🏻
Thanks.
@@Bassotronics 👍😊
You can tell Dave is excited, keeps repeating himself not once but several times! What a cool horn!
Sometimes I do get carried away and forget what I said 2
minutes ago. Some call that old age....
@@ccrx6700 not true, you are younger than I . It is excitement!
That's not a horn, it's a whistle. It's designed very much like an organ pipe.
I never seen ashes like that😮thank you Dave
Your welcome redauwg911. We really appreciate your dropping
by and taking in today's home movie my friend.
What an awesome vacation, with all of these train excursions. I know what I’ll be doing if my bank says that I can go. Major Thankage Dave.
Thank you raylz. It was awesome. Work RR all the time then
go on vacation for 1 week out of the year and ride scenic....
I got to go see a doctor to get help for my addiction to railroad-itis....LOL Always is a pleasure to have you pay us a visit
my friend. Glad you enjoyed today's ride.
Love big steam. I got the chance to see the Union Pacific 4014 "Big Boy" when it came out West last month... talk about huge!! ALCO 4-8-8-4 , articulated, 68" drivers, stands 16 feet high, weighs 1,200,000 lbs... it certainly is a big boy. Really cool that you were able to get close up and even in the cab, they wouldn't let us get that close to 4014. Awesome video, there's nothing like a whistle echoing through the mountains, thanks for taking us along! And I agree... they need to ditch that music.
Saw the Big Boy on static at Steamtown Henry that was just totally impressive. If I was there like you with it under steam the
hair would stand up on the back of my neck. Good for you that
you got to be up close to that guy. I'm jealous but happy for ya.
Appreciate very much your taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.
Thank you for another great ride on a steam locomotive Dave! It is great to see all of the enthusiasts following the locomotive too.
Really glad you enjoyed Raymond. We certainly appreciate your
very nice comment and for riding along with us today my friend.
That's one big steam locomotive Dave! Awesome ride! Just show @TriGogglin a caboose he would be in heaven.
😥
Really glad you enjoyed Rick. Pappy is a sucker for cabooses for
sure! LOL it's always great to have you visit with us and hear
from you my friend.
I passed the video as you were showing us around #1309 & explaining the pin that makes it an Articulated. I am glad that Western Maryland is running #1309. But my pipe dream is - since I have heard that there are companies who still build steam locomotives- that someone with enough money will have a brand new Allegany (2 - 6 - 6 - 6) built. Ah, just another pipe dream. Although not a railroad man, I did work in a steam engineering plant that suplied steam to the local Hospital in our town. My title was Stationary Boiler Fireman. We had 4 Babcox & Willcox water tube Boilers each as big as a two story house. Thank you very much for this & your other videos.
Back in the day a whole lot of stuff was run and heated by steam.
When I worked at the power plant in the 1970's the boilers there were B&W. Those monstrous things were 6 stories high Earl and
ate had a voracious appetite for coal. Thank you for taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.
Beautiful engine, thank you for sharing Dave. Coal smoke, whistle moan, and stack talk. This ride has it all.
Love that they have not converted this loco to oil burning. Coal is gods gift of fuel to mankind
Thank you Tom for the awesome comment. This was special
to be around such a magnificent locomotive. Really appreciate
your riding along with us my friend.
That is a mighty fine locomotive, quite impressive and with a beutiful sounding whistle.
It certainly is Arkay. WMSC did a phenomenal job in getting
this loco back under steam Tons of adversity they faced and
can you imagine the money they had to come up with to do
such a project of astronomical dimensions. Always is a pleasure
to have your visit with us and write in my friend.
The H-6 class were built for mine run service in the coalfields. The 1309 and her sisters spent their brief lives working the coalfields around Logan W Va. The 2-6-6-2 wheel arrangement was ideal for the lighter rail and sharper curves on most mine runs. C &O's H classes were the backbone of the coal branches.
Yes sir, those locos were built for slow speed heavy hauling. I
did not know 1309 worked around Logan, thanks very much for
that info Mitch! It was awesome being that close to this
magnificent locomotive, almost made the hair stand up on
back my neck. Really appreciate your riding along with us
today.
Good video Dave.
Several FYI things. When standing near the front engine of the loco, ( 1:51 ) above the crosshead guide and behind the valve gear is a device with a lot of tubes coming out of it. That is the mechanical lubricator. It is driven by the link off the shaft of the valve gear and operates by a ratchet to operate pistons inside to move oil to the needed points. You will notice that there is another one sitting just to the rear and above the steam cylinder. ( 2:06 ) Different types of oil so the need for different lubricators. There should also might be some on the rigid mounted set of cylinders. The cylinders and valve on the steam chest are lubed by the two small tubes near the top of the cylinders.
The two air pumps are cross compound units. There are 4 pistons in them with two being for steam and two being for air and they are double acting unlike on your Diesels. The steam portion is on the top and jacketed. The air part is on the bottom and not jacketed. That was the thumping sounds that you hear. Much better than the older single cylinder ones as they are more forgiving about self starting.
Thank you so much gravelydon for the very detailed and
informative comment. Wish I had your knowledge! Steam
has always fascinated me. 1309 is just a magnificent piece
of art. Almost made the hair on the back of my neck stand up being beside her. Really do appreciate your taking the time to ride
with us and write in my friend. Always is a pleasure to hear
from you.
Great video Dave! I have never seen video from a steam train in a tunnel before! All of that soot on you must make you feel like your really a part of the action! Really cool train action Dave, thanks for sharing! 😊
Thank you so much for the very nice comment. Asked the wife
to scoop up all those cinders on my pants so I could take them
home, she just rolled her eyes at me. Now you know why I
said you had a good wife that obeyed you.... :-) it was an
awesome ride and being that close to 1309 was an absolute
thrill for me. Such a magnificent locomotive. Really appreciate
your going on the ride with us today my friend.
That's a beautiful engine!!
it sure is Preston. Almost made the hair stand up on the back
of my neck being that close to such a magnificent steam
machine as this. Totally awesome. Thanks so much for riding along with us today my friend.
What a locomotive! The amount of engineering that went into it is incredible..with no computers helping!
You're sure finding some beautiful scenery to share with us. Thanks for another great video Dave!👍👍
You make an excellent point Jim, all that engineering was done
on paper by hand with no computers to help. Wonder if any of
these guys now a days could do that! Really glad you had a good
time and we appreciate your riding along with us today my friend.
A really impressive piece of equipment! Thanks for pointing out the articulation pin.
It certainly is Dave. would love to have a photo op with #4
beside this one! You've got to take a ride on this one, you'll
love it. Don[t ride in a coach or all you'll hear is piped in
music, no fun at all that way. Always is a pleasure to hear
from you my good friend.
We just rode in the dome car. Not as interactive, but awesome views of both power units. We’ll have to schedule a day on the J and L narrow gauge steam experience, where you build the fire, run the engine, and put it to bed.
Thanks for this delightful video.
Kind of like a time machine, taking one back a century or two. That locomotive was made the year I was born. Millions of years ago tectonic plates collided, crinkled and crumpled - and so those mountains.
Your welcome my friend. Millions of years ago the plants
and trees died to form the coal to run this locomotive too.
Someone else write in that back when 1309 was designed
they didn't have computers to assist them, just drawing
boards, T squares and pencils. Wonder how many guys
could do that now without a computer to help. Good food
for thought. Very much appreciate your riding along with us
today my friend.
This is only a fraction of the great time I know you guys had on this trip ! Nice to see
Pappy with you as well. Cumberland is my dad's home town; I miss going there.
Hope I can take ride soon! Thanks for sharing your trip!
Your welcome Patrick. Cumberland is a nice town, Virtual Railfan
just a week ago put up a rail cam so you can get a view of the
town and the WM depot if you ever want to "spy" on your dad....LOL
It's a great ride, you will enjoy it. Thanks so much for paying us
a visit today my friend.
@@ccrx6700 Yes, I'm subbed to Virtual Railfan as well, that camera has a great vantage point !
Sure the biggest locomotive I have ever seen! Loved the scenery. That whistle sometimes sounds like a cow moose in labor!!! Enjoyed.
It currently is the biggest articulated loco in operation east
of the Mississippi. Glad you had a good time and thanks for
riding along with us today.
Great to see that locomotive alive. Great video. Thanks
It certainly is Kevin. Western Maryland did an awesome job
of getting 1309 back under steam despite many, many 'adversities
they encountered along the way. Always is a pleasure to have
you join in with us and hear from you my friend.
Dave, hello to you and your wife. Thanks for the AWESOME, AWESOME ride on 1309! Your enthusiasm is fantastic! Take care and keep bringing us these wonderful videos!
Thank you so much Tom for the really nice comment. So glad
you enjoyed the ride. it's always a pleasure to have you join in
with us my friend.
Awesome video, Dave! It sounds like you had a blast that day!! Besides the video, it was enjoyable to hear you having such an awesome time! Have an excellent day, Dave!
Thank you for the nice comment and for watching exDrBob1.
It was a great day for sure. Really appreciate your taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.
You blessed man, the first and last steamer I was able to ride behind was old No.6 a 2-6-0 with 50 inch drivers on the East Jordan & Southern R.R. I was 4 years old.
Thank you very much Roberta for the very nice comment. We really
appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.
Even at such a young age, one never forgets a ride behind steam.
Thanks for posting the video of this awesome machinery! And that goes double and triple for the great people who breathe life into this mighty engine.
Your very welcome Barney. Thank you so much for riding along
with us today and for you very nice comment my friend.
looks real similar to a unit on display in Proctor MN which operated on the DMIR
That's pretty cool, may be a sister engine to this one, who knows.
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and write in my friend.
Thanks for taking us along Dave! What a cool ride.
Very welcome Brian. It was magnificent. We certainly appreciate your riding along with us today my friend.
Looks like a fun ride ... and now you gotta be ready for the laundry and a shower 😂😂😂. That's on my bucket list !!! 🚂
It's a good ride Tom, you will enjoy it. 1309 is magnificent. Thank you very much for taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.
Thank Dave for taking us along It all way good to see the old locomotives run. I was very young when I saw the only steam engine run. I can just can remember it. Later I found out it was on the L&N line. Thanks again Dave for a great video!
Your very welcome John, glad you enjoyed the trip. It was a good
ride. L&N became part of what is now CSX if I remember correctly.
Always is a treat to have you pay me a visit my friend.
I got to enjoy the ride and NO CINDERS IN MY LAP. Thank you.
Yep, I took one for the team on the cinders.... LOL Really appreciate
your riding along with us today my friend.
You Sir are a blessed man! Thanks for the ride along. BEAUTIFUL
Your welcome Jerry and thank you for the very kind words.
Appreciate your joining us for the ride my friend.
That was super sweet Dave, cool seeing Pappy in here too! Nice stuff!
Thanks Dave for your very nice comment. Always is a treat to
have you ride along with me! :-) Glad you enjoyed the ride today
my friend.
This just an awesome experience. We rode in a climate controled car(mainly due to the fact that I had lung issues ). Even the women enjoyed it, making plans to make the trip again. Going up the grade out of Cumberland, I looked towards the rear, looked like the diesel was working hard. I thought the 1309 would be able to pull the grade with no problem. Encourage all to make this trip.
it certainly was Bob, so glad you got to ride on it. Don't blame you
a bit for coach if you have lung problems, Brush Tunnel would
have been hard on your lungs. Can't say about the diesel, all
we could hear was 1309! And loved every minute of it. Really
appreciate your watching and writing in today my friend.
1309 is awesome very glad to see your having fun and a great way to do it great video thanks thanks Dave and wife
It certainly is Gary. King of steam east of the Mississippi. Almost
made the hair stand up on the back of my neck just being
that close to it. Thanks so much for the very nice comment
and for riding along with us today my friend.
Dave you too are well known and the stories and pictures you show and the train you keep moving.😊
I guess so Michael, big time You Tube star.... LOL Actually
my friend I am an extreme introvert, believe it or not. When
go to work if I say good morning and then good night at the
end of the shift, that is enough conversation for me.
A-MAZ-ING, Dave! Such a handsome engine AND that hooter whistle! That'll give a steam lover some chills...the good kind. I love the contrasting colors on the tender. That Western Maryland Fireball scheme is SOOO much better in color! The old B&W photos from back-in-the-day just don't do that paint scheme justice. Now, how about those cinders!? That was impressive....that you actually caught the cinders mid-air just raining back down to earth. If you look at old pictures from when steam was running every day, some good examples are from Norfolk & Western's Blue Ridge grade and near the Hermosa Tunnels on UP's Sherman Hill grade, you can actually see cinders so deep next to the right-of-way that it looks like black/grey snow! Even 70+ years later, like on the Rio Grande's Tennessee Pass line, cinders are just a part of the ground composition for 30+ feet on either side of the track. That tunnel shot was the ultimate, Dave! I'm glad you kept shooting all the way through. To see the exhaust and the steam curling all the way down to the floor and back into the train was the coolest (warmest 😉) thing! I must someday stand inside that tunnel as the train blasts through. Just imagine the exhaust blasts out of the stacks of double-headed WM I-2 Decapods as they pulled for all their worth through that tunnel! Thanks, Dave! Another great railroadin' adventure for us all to enjoy. 👍👍
Wow thanks Scotty for the awesome comment. W< colors are
really cool and you're right, black and white just don't do them
justice. Back in the day, track gangs would spend their
careers hand digging out the ballast and sifting the cinders out,
what a hard way to earn a living that had to have been. I like
cribbing with my excavator! Riding inside Brush Tunnel was
really neat, feel the steam, it fogged up my glasses. WM had
some pretty big engines back then, the decapods and some
challengers, pretty good grades for heavy hauling coal drags
and timber, which was their bread and butter. Really
appreciate your riding along with me today my friend.
@@ccrx6700 Definitely much better to crib with the excavator! I enjoyed the ride, Dave! Thanks! 😊🧡🚂👍
Really love the sound of that whistle...and really enjoyed your last few travel videos
Thanks Dave! 👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you very much bobblenuts for the very nice comment. We really appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.
Whistle is pretty cool, but personally I like Cass whistle a bit
better.
I see that you got your free souvenir, great run👍 thanks for the video Dave 👍 🚂 Keep them coming
Yep Christopher, had the wife scoop up all the cinders and take
them home with us for display.... LOL Just kidding, but I did tell
her to do that, she just rolled her eyes and shook her head. Really
swell of you my friend to join in with on the train ride today.
I never rode behind a steam locomotive, except at Disneyland, but that doesn't count. I did see plenty of them in the early 1950's in Cleveland, on the Erie, Pennsylvania and New York Central railroads. It was near the end of the steam era, and diesels were quickly taking over. Thanks for the adventure. Jon, on the U.P., Pacific Coast Line. Santa Barbara Sub, M.P. 404.5
I rode Disneyland in 1977 but don't remember a thing about it.
Glad you enjoyed the home movie today Jon. We really appreciate
your joining with us for the ride my friend.
What a fantastic video. I guess the trip was wonderful. Nothing better than a good old steam engine. 😊
Thank you Albe Lock. So glad you enjoyed. This was a great ride
right behind her. No way was I gonna ride in a coach, all they
heard was piped in music. Very much appreciate your riding
along with us tonight my friend.
the 2662 mallet engines were huge, powerful, and amazing! personally I think that
they are better design then the “big boy” 4884 engine. was this excursion in west Virginia?
you make these events so enjoyable, all the information that you bestow on the viewers
is always facts that you were not aware of , thanks so much, have a great night, and be safe
out there!
Cumberland Maryland
1309 is the king of steam east of the Mississippi. They are an
awesome engine with excellent design. Very reliable for the
C&O back in the day. They did the job of hauling heavy coal
drags over the Allegheny Mountains. Thank you so much Barry
for the really kind words and for riding along with us today my
friend.
I believe that the mallet 2662 vs 4884 big boy will be able to run on the tight curves
of the north east along with clearance for the tunnels. while out west and central USA
has large sweeping curves , and minimal tunnels. the power of both engines are
amazing especially when you consider the time they were made. what killed
steam was the labor intensive maintenance on the engines. coaling and water
stations every so many miles, on the old NYC they had “on the fly’ water pick up
locations. What a great video, hope all is well, take care and stay healthy. barry
Thanks so much Barry for the awesome comment. PRR had water
troughs in the track for pick up on the go also. Those troughs
had to be a real pain for track maintenance crews to work around!
You're right, the diesels had it all over steam for ease
of operation and so much less maintenance.
Great ride Dave! Your excitement gets me excited, and the whistle puts a big smile on my face. I`m so jealous, lol. Thank you for making these videos.
Really glad you enjoyed Wilbur. We certainly appreciate your
very nice comment and for riding along with us today my friend.
Awesome whistle. How would you like to hear that echo off the mountains on a warm summer evening. Thanks for sharing.
That sure would be a sound you'd remember Scott. Would be
awesome to be off in the distance and hear it. Very much
appreciate your joining us for the ride today my friend. Although
this whistle was just great, my personal preference is the one
of Cass Shay.
What a great ride. Your camera picked up all the cinders falling. I loved the tunnel.
it certainly was Beverly. Almost made the hair stand up on
the back of my neck being that close to such a magnificent
locomotive as that. A day we will never forget. Always is
a treat to have you visit with me and write in my friend.
what an awesome looking piece of machinery
it certainly is David. The king of steam east of the Mississippi.
Western Maryland did an awesome job of getting this loco
back under steam. Really appreciate your stopping by and watching
today my friend.
Steam powah alright! Very exciting Dave, great footage! 1309 is such a pretty locomotive. I love the WM logo, very unique!
Thank you Eric. WM fireball is really colorful, I got a 3 foot by 2 foot
lighted up fireball sign in my train room, paid too much for it,
but couldn't resist it. Really glad you enjoyed and it's always
a treat to have you visit with me my friend.
@@ccrx6700 You're welcome! Oh, I know how that goes! It's always great to come alone for the ride with you Dave! Thanks for taking us along!
@@ericcoffedgp40 😊👍
Awesome! Thanks for all the up close engine shots. It's nice to be able to see all the different parts up close.
Thank you Matt. Always is a pleasure to hear from you. We
really appreciate your visiting with us and riding along my
good friend.
Your nature and attitude are the best ever !
Amazing solo videographer abilities too
Thank you for the very kind comment KC. Always a pleasure to
have you visit with us my friend. Hope you enjoyed the ride behind
1309, it is one awesome locomotive.
Great engine! I wish whoever is building that new PRR T-1 Duplex would get it done. Now that's something!
it is magnificent for sure Gary. Was totally awesome to be
beside it. I have heard they are building a T1 but know little
about who or it's progress. That will be so wonderful to have
happen if they can get it done. Thanks so much for joining
us on the ride my friend.
You lucky guy Dave what a way to spend a day.
it was a very good day Lawrie, what a magnificent locomotive 1309
is, almost made the hair stand up on back of my neck being
close to it. Really appreciate your riding along with us today
my friend.
I would love to see that big ole beast !!!
If you get the chance, it is well worth going. WMSR is a first
class operation. if you do go, don't ride in a coach cause you
won't hear the engine working, all you will hear is piped in music.
Thank you my friend for visiting with us tonight and riding along.
What a beautiful piece of machinery! Gonna have to add this to my bucket list!
Glad you enjoyed Ezekiel. It is a magnificent machine. Almost
made the hair stand up on back my neck being that close to
such awesome power. Very much appreciate your riding
along with us today my good friend.
Fantastic with special guests👍
🚂she a puller!🚃🚃🚃🚃🙋
Thank you so much Doug, glad you enjoyed. These 2-6-6-2 locos
were built for low speed heavy hauling which is why C&O got
so many of them to haul their heavy coal drags over the Allegheny
Mountains, they also served the logging industry in the western
parts of USA. Always is a pleasure to have you visit with me
and write in my good friend.
That is pretty cool and totally awesome Dave... jus like being a kid again! DD. 😜🤗
Thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed. Did you ever get the chance
to run steam as an engineer? Figure steam was way over with
by the time you started, but UP has an awesome steam program.
Just wondering. Thanks so much my friend for riding along with
us tonight. I loved every minute of the trip.
That's a great video. The train yard and machine shop are located in Ridgeley, WV. I live right beside it and see (or at least hear it!) every day.
Awesome Sue. Last time we visited WMSR we drove over to the
shops there hoping to get a glimpse at 1309, that was before
it was under steam, but it was in barn and didn't get to see it then.
How lucky are you to hear that whistle all the time! Really
appreciate your watching the video and writing in today my friend.
Oh boy Dave anything with steam is right up my alley. Thanks for a awesome video.👍
Really glad you enjoyed Russell, this loco is king of the steam
east of the Mississippi. I've been so looking forward to riding
it. Always is a pleasure to have you visit with me my friend.
@@ccrx6700 Thanks Dave
Wow!! A 2-6-6-2!!?? That's a huge engine for an excursion! Is that the biggest passenger train steamer running in the US (not including the Big Boy)? 🤩 and the glimpse inside the cab...oh wow, would've loved to have an explanation of what all those gauges and levers did. Really fantastic! Happiness is a lap full of cinders....just sayin' 😁
It was magnificent Jennifer. It is the largest articulated steam
loco east of the Mississippi that is in operation. Happiness is a
lap full of cinders, I know that feeling! Wanted the wife to scoop
them up and take them home with us. She just rolled her eyes
when I said that. Really appreciate your riding along with us
today my friend.
Thank you so much. It were interesting to see how the stoker was attached.
Your certainly welcome Baron3D. Glad you enjoyed. We really
appreciate your stopping by and taking in the video today
my friend.
Thanks Dave!
Certainly welcome Fireball. Really appreciate your joining us for
the ride my friend.
Wonderful video about the scenery along on your trip and the whistle blowing
Thank you very much Margaret for the very nice comment. We really
appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.
They got a good clean fire! Good fireman
Thanks so much gunsaway1 for joining us on our train ride
today. Don't know about the fire man, but the engine man
was a volunteer from a scenic RR somewhere in Vermont.
He was good so I'm sure he gave his expert tips to the young
fire man. And that's the best way to learn from an old experienced
hand who knows what he's doing.
So cool that locomotive was made the month and year I was born. I should try to go for a ride someday.
Two differences Valerie, you weren't made by Bladwin and
you just turned 48 if my calculations are right! :-) It is a very
enjoyable ride, however if you go and ride in an enclosed coach,
you won't hear much of the engine working, just piped in music.
Thanks for checking out tonight's home movie my friend.
@@ccrx6700 I'm like you, I want to hear the sound, not the music. Sometimes when I watch a movie, they have the music so loud, that I have trouble hearing what they are saying. Haha! Thanks for sharing your wonderful videos.
@@valeriebassett3107 😊👍
It's amazing how something that big with so many moving parts can work so efficiently ... Thx Dave ... Enjoyed it very much ... You looked like an old chunk of coal and proud of it 🤣😅😂
it certainly is Eddy. These big locos were slow speed but
built for heavy hauling and they did a great job at that in
their day. Wanted to take those cinders home and put them
on display. I told wife to sweep them up and keep them, she
just shook her head and rolled her eyes. I think I have a mental
problem/addiction..... railroad - itis. Gonna need go get some therapy..... LOL Really appreciate your joining us on our ride today my friend.
Nice trip Dave, looked like a good ride. Can't beat steam power. Must say I'd rather hear a Southern whistle but I kinda got use to hearing the Norfolk-Western sound. Just makes me think of steam boat. lol! Thanks my friend.
Thanks Rick, it was magnificent. Although the whistle was
awesome, my personal preference is the one on the Cass Shay,
so I hear you on your Southern. it did sound like a steam boat,
I never thought of that. Appreciate your joining us on the ride
my friend.
Some more awesome videos! Neat to see up in the cab and all the controls and the layout.
The open air car is indeed the best way to get the full experience of the magnificent 1309. You have great views of 1309 in action and the tunnel section of your video was spectacular too.
👍
Really glad you enjoyed Jonathan. We certainly appreciate your
very nice comment and for riding along with us today my friend.
Another excellent video. Thank you my friend.
Thank you Wayne, so glad you enjoyed. We really appreciate
your riding along with us today my friend. Always is a pleasure
to hear from you.
Great video Dave. I love the sounds of steam locomotives. Do they remind first time travellers of the cinder hazard? Lol. Have a great day my friend.
Thank you Lewis, was great to have you ride along with us today.
WM had cinder beware signs up. Cass had the tour guide make
an announcement. Several children in a couple of seats ahead
of us wore goggles! Good idea. Appreciate your writing in and
for watching my friend.
Great job! Only thing better would have been having the camera right by a set of driver wheels to catch them rods, drivers and steam cylinders at work. Thanks for taking us!
Thank you Earl, glad you enjoyed. That would be pretty cool
to mount a camera to see those. Not sure if they would allow
me to do it or not. Really appreciate your riding along with us
today my friend. 1309 is just totally awesome.
@@ccrx6700 Have you ever been on the Flying Dutchman? I seen it once when I was a kid and it was a big green giant to me then.
@@earlschmitt884 no i havent Earl
@@ccrx6700 If you like steam, it is a must see, if they still have it in running condition.
The Flying Scotsman is owned by the National Railway Museum and operated by Riley & Son (E) Ltd.
Great video! Awesome locomotive! I'd like to see an Allegheny locomotive restored to operating condition.
Appreciate the nice comment commonsense. There are only 2 Allegheny locos left, one is at the Henry Ford Museum and the
other at B&O Museum, I've seen the one at B&O. 1309 was
once in the B&O before coming to WMSR. Thank you very much for taking the time to visit with us and may you have a very good day my friend.
Good night my friend!❤
Hope you sleep well Michael.
That was awesome Dave reminds me of when the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 visited Southern California in October 2019 and I got to see it and pace it when it left. I have a few short videos of it that I posted although I’m not the best at doing that kind of stuff. I enjoy your videos and I subscribed to both your channels
Oh wow that had to be so cool to be beside 1014. We visited
Steamtown and saw 4012 but it was static and rusting away
badly, still totally impressive. The ride behind 1309 was awesome. Really appreciate your joining us on both channels
my friend.
Great video and what a locomotive !! Thanks for sharing .
Thank you very much Merv for the very nice comment. We really
appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.
Excellent video Dave, looks like a fun ride.
Thank you so kindly Jeff. Was great to have you visit with us
and take the ride today my friend.
What a beautiful train
It certainly is Aimee. What a magnificent locomotive 1309
really is and what a thrill for me to be along side of it. Really
appreciate your dropping by and watching the show today my friend.
@@ccrx6700 You're welcome a great on video. I love them trains especially when the smoke is coming from it and how powerful it looks.
Thank for the ride Dave, she is a beast of an engine and puffing out some good pretty good ash and cinders all over you, going to call you dirty Dave lol. Cheers and have a great weekend my friend.
Really glad you enjoyed Pete. We certainly appreciate your
very nice comment and for riding along with us today my friend.
And, you can call me anything you want, except late for dinner :-)
Magnificant catches of the steam locomotive, I like it 5 stars, keep up the great work, my friend, i subscribed your channel, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.
Thank you Vasco and welcome to our community, we are glad to have you with us and hope you will continue to enjoy.
Here is an introduction video to get you a feel for what all we do here at the Railroad and a bit about our mine:
th-cam.com/video/oOug0z34118/w-d-xo.html
Lot's of cool RR videos on our home page if you would sometime care to check any of them out.
th-cam.com/users/ccrx6700
Thank you for posting
You're certainly welcome William, my pleasure. We really
appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.
would love to hear that whistle at night echoing through the northwoods of Wisconsin and upper Michigan
Oh for sure on that Tom, a steam whistle after dark or in the
fog is just awesome and 1309 sure has a good sounding one.
Really appreciate your taking the time to check out the video my friend.
Thats a lot of weight so amazing thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and write in Doc from Down Under. This is one awesome locomotive! May you have a most blessed holiday season my friend.
Real nice video Dave. I rode that line quite a few times in the late 80s and early 90s most recently in 2016 (rode in the caboose, unfortunately a rock slide closed off part of the line and we couldn't go all the way to Frostburg). I'm assuming that water column was recently installed as I don't remember it being there before. Thanks Jim
Thank you Jim, really glad you enjoyed. We rode 2 years ago and
a year before that and the water fill station was there both times.
Kind of odd they don't fill in the shop at Ridgely tho? Always
enjoy hearing from you my friend.
Thanks for another video
Your certainly welcome. Thank you so much for riding along with
us and writing in my friend.
Fantastic. That locomotive is massive the cab looks like a ballroom LOL. Love the sound in the tunnel, like you the only music I want to hear is made by the loco and train. I have heard with Big Boy they had to clear the cinders with bulldozers every so often I bet this loco could give them a run for their money.
Thank you cedarcam, glad you enjoyed. It was awesome to
ride behind her. No doubt the huge steamers made a lot of
cinders. Back in the days where everyone had steam, cleaning
cinders out of ballast was a regular job. Hand shovel the ballast
out and sift the ballast. Wow what a way to make a living doing
that all day. I like cribbing ties with my excavator a whole lot
better.... LOL Thanks so much my friend for riding along today.
Awesome video Dave!
Thank you so much my friends. Always great to have you
guys visit with me and ride the train together.
fantastic video. She is a beast. I must say, I have never been on the train before. Anytime I am near steam I am either in the cab, or on the ground filming and chasing. That tunnel part was awesome indeed. thank you for sharing this ride! :)
Thank you so much Bryan. Next time I go there it will be on a cab ride. How great it is you get to do that. Brush tunnel was so
neat to have that steam blow up on me. Really appreciate your
riding along with us tonight my friend.
@@ccrx6700 My cab rides sometimes have me in the left hand seat busy with the boiler, and track ahead. My first ever experience was hand firing the parked NKP 765 keeping her hot. My thumb and that back head got to know each other very well trying to get the coal to the front of the firebox. you know what, that back head don't move when you hit it...and it is hard! LOL
@@s16100 And that is why I like oil fired steam engines. So much easier on the back. And other parts of the body. Most likely time to meet the backhead on them is when you throw a shovel full of sand in the firebox to sand out the flues.
@@gravelydon7072 Well, I can't argue on the easier on the body part of your statement! LOL but there is nothing like the smell of burning coal, and the skill involved in keeping that fire in order. Though you do need to keep the atomizing steam pressure right for the amount of oil going in on an oil burner or you will have a furnace explosion with oil. So both require knowledge to fire for sure. :)
@@s16100 👍😊