Recent photos are surfacing of Chessie GP-9 6400 parked outside of the WESTERN MARYLAND station in Cumberland, MD. If the number is correct, this would be the former WESTERN MARYLAND #25. I would love to know the story behind it’s former whereabouts, and what are the preservation plans.
So I see it made it to Maryland safely. It is former WM #25. It has spent the past 18 or so years putting in work for The Great Walton Railroad which is located in Social Circle Georgia. If I understand correctly, this was the first GP 9 purchased by the WM, and one of the first ones to get a chop nose. Back when this unit was on the GRWR’s Covington Branch, there was a scene shot for the movie My Cousin Vinny, and 6400 was shot during one scene. This unit is also rumered to be one of two left in existance wearing WM reporting marks. From what I’ve heard the new owner’s plans are to repaint the unit in the original black scheme.
RRoadwarrior - Thanks for the intell. I 'll have to search for pics of 6400 in service on the Great Walton Railroad. I 'm sure down in Georgia, that chop-nosed was just another beat up second-hand switcher, but up here in MARYLAND it’s return is probably the biggest “rail” happening of 2008. Cumberland is about a 2 hour drive for me, but man am I itching to go stand next to #25!
Thanks again.
Always glad to help. I used to switch with her years ago but never knew all the historical aspects until recently. Look on Railpictures.net and Railroad Picture Archives.net and you’ll find some photos. I’m surprised no one else has reported spotting this engine, it’s not something you see every day.
RRoadwarrior - Great minds think alike! I was just on RailPictures.net while you were writing your post!
What a great collection of first generation units you Southerners got squirrelled away down there. The mild weather must agree with them. Would make a wonderful (and colorfull) model railroad short-line.
The Great Walton had units painted in C&NW, and South Carolina Central still operating until they were painted last year. 6400 was supposed to get a fresh coat of paint before it got sold. Do a search for the Hartwell Railroad and you’ll see quite a few units still in fallen flag paint. You never know what you’ll see working on a shortline, some have some interesting power and operations.
The SOUTH BRANCH VALLEY is my favorite short line (also lots of great first generation diesels), but I think I have a new second favorite short line…[tup]
OK. Now we know where #25 has been hiding for two decades. Does anyone out there know who is getting this gem (Western MD Scenic? West Virginia Central? Western Maryland Hist Society?) and where it might be restored?
Georges Creek Railway
I can answer your question about 6400,My friend Gerald has started the Geogres Creek Railroad and it is on former wm track,and has bought chessie 6400(wm 25) for his rail operations.This is not the only wm unit he owns,he has FA2 #303,and he also owns a pennsy t6 alco.6400 will go back to her wm sppeed letterin and her old number.If you have myspace,look this page up, www.myspace.com/railsrme it is my rail page on myspace,and I have some photos in a album of wm25/chessie 6400.
roger
So you mean the line that runs from Westernport up to Lonaconing (well, Morrison’s…)?
somewhere near luke papermill.
Well, as I have family in that area, that makes me very, very happy.
Any idea as to whom is doing the refurbishing?
WMSR is doing the repainting,and gearld(owner) will rin it in luke.
Here’s an update of former Chessie 6400, now refurbished as WESTERN MARYLAND #25.
On its inaugural run, #25 pulls away from the WESTERN MARYLAND SCENIC shops at Ridgely,WV, on 8/9/08, approx 0930 hours.
Passengers, including Mr Altizer (owner of Georges Creek Railway), and Chalie Amos (local rr painter) are boarding at the WESTERN MARYLAND station for a special excursion to Frostburg,MD.
Basking in the sun next to Frostburg Depot.
And the highlight of the day was when engine #734 arrived at Frostburg, with the regular MOUNTAIN THUNDER train, for a meet with #25!!!
In a week or so, #25 will be back to blue collar duty switching the NEW PAGE paper plant at Luke, MD, and along the Georges Creek up to Morrison’s siding.
Mr Altizer has also acquired K&K 39, formerly WM 39.
Zippy —> [#welcome].
Thanks for the news on #39. I’ll be on the lookout for it next time I travel out to Cumberland & Westernport. Tried to find #25 on the Georges Creek, but couldn’t find it this past weekend.