Apparently nine 2-6-6-2 locomotives numbers 951-959 were built by Baldwin between 1909 and 1911 for the Western Maryland.
All were converted in 1927 to an 0-6-6-0 configuration.
Might the next 2-6-6-2 come out as Western Maryland 960?
WM M-1a 957 2-6-6-2 as built…
WM M-1a 957 former 2-6-6-2 as rebuilt to 0-6-6-0 configuration…
I don’t know. If you’re talking about the Western Maryland Scenic altering C&O 1309 into an ersatz WM 0-6-6-0 I can’t see it happening. Remember WM Scenic doesn’t own 1309, it’s a loaner from the B&O Museum, and there’s no practical reason for doing so anyway.
At any rate, 0-6-6-0’s were used mostly as pushers or for heavy yard work, not as over-rhe-road locomotives, and 1309 is going to be used as a road engine, even though it’s going to be pulling passenger cars.
Anyway, sorry if I misunderstood your post.
NO. The cosmetic changes would be too extensive (and expensive), the two locos are not of similar size, and some C&O fans would probably…
Guys, sorry for any confusion in the original post. What I was surmising, just for discussion purposes, was that they could perhaps number it 960 and paint it in Western Maryland paint. I should have been clearer that I was definitely not advocating converting it to an 0-6-6-0.
If I recall correctly they numbered their ex-LS&I 2-8-0 as 734, one number above their last class of 2-8-0s.
So in theory, if they used that same rationale, they would number their new 2-6-6-2 one number above their prior 2-6-6-2s.
I think a “960” 2-6-6-2 would look pretty nice with that Western Maryland fireball logo. But that is just one opinion.
Again, my apologies for any confusion in the original post.
Ah, now that’s another story! Certainly after putting a lot of sweat, money, and probably a little blood into restoring 1309 there’s no reason WM Scenic couldn’t put “Wild Mary” markings on the engine, we could probably even say they’d earned the right to.
Although as ACY said it’s certainly true the C&O fans would have a meltdown over it!
Western Maryland H-7a 2-8-0 for comparison purposes…
Western Maryland Scenic 734 for comparison purposes…
LS&I doesn’t have a big mid-Atlantic area following, so making is WM 734 didn’t offend much of anyone.
C&O has a LARGE mid-Atlantic following - making the CO 1309 into WM 960 would be similar to firing on Fort Sumpter over a century ago.
That brings a picture to my mind of a bunch of crazy C&O rail fans trying to steal the locomotive and take it back to Virginia by taking it off the eastbound trip at Frostburg and making a run for it, and the WMSR conductor giving chase with the 734 running tender first.
As long as there is not a hardcore C&O fan named Andrews, it will probably never happen.
Then again, do they serve adult beverages at the C&O Historical Society meetings? 
Great post kgb! Dang, wish I’d thought of it…
Any history of WM borrowing C&O steam poower?
Any history of WM borrowing C&O steam poower?
No!
In addition to dozens of 2-8-0s:
Western Maryland rostered 20 of these beasts…
And a dozen of these beasts…
Plus a dozen of these monsters…
I’m not insulted that the LS&I Consolidation is standing in for a Western Maryland 2-8-0. The engine is big for its class, has the same cab and tender configuration and really looks the part. As for the 2-6-6-2 it would be good to have her in any form. To satisfy purists, it might be practical to make up insignia plates out of sheet metal that could be hung on the engine as desired. C&O numbers and lettering were quite small in the latter days of steam and WM plates could fit right over them. How hard could that be? After all, it’s not like currently active steamers never “impersonated” other locos for special events and excursions.
I’m with you Jim, paint her as a wm loco. They bought and paid for her. Restored her. So she is theirs.
They didn’t buy it or pay for it - it is on loan from the B&O Museum.
Oops I stand corrected, but they are paying for the restoration. I’m guessing we need to see what the agreement with the museum says.
I have been thinking about this a little more, and from a branding perspective, when this 2-6-6-2 becomes operational it will become the “face” of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for quite some time.
It will in all probability be one of (if not the) most-photographed units in the country in 2017 and will be used in promotional literature of all types to try to attract customers. So I am thinking the WMSR will want its “brand” out there, which would tend to lean to a WM fireball paint job as 734 has.
In a similar situation 2000 miles away, Black Hills Central 110 does not have “Weyerhaeuser Timber” or “Rayonier Lumber” emblazoned on its flanks. By the way, if you have not had the chance to ride the Black Hills Central, you will not be disappointed if you go. Plus a great place to do loads of other things also.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRxLjcv8Fas
Not intending to hijack the thread, but I concur on the Black Hills Central as a great destination. I’ve seen quite a few steam locomotives, but I was amazed. That is one of the loudest steam locomotives I have ever seen. Everything about it is loud: the exhaust, the whistle, the pop valves. I had a great time visiting there on Memorial Day weekend about 2 years ago. There is also a very friendly and relaxed bar serving their own micro-brew there in town.
Anyone have any update on the progress of the Western Maryland Scenic 2-6-6-2 restoration or an expected service date? That is on my side of the country and would be worth a visit. I went there a number of years ago on what had to be the hottest day of the summer - close to 100 degrees. The benefit for me was that everyone stayed in the air conditioning and I had the side door of the baggage compartment to myself to listen to the 2-8-0 work.
Bill
Probably best to wait for some definite announcement from WM Scenic before making your travel plans. I understand they are making good progress, but these things take as long as they take, and no less. Sometimes longer.
Tom