The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is the offspring of the former WMd Rwy. The route is now the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) from Connellsville to Cumberland.
For years the WM Scenic RR ran excursions from Cumberland to Frostburg. The ride parallels the GAP with plenty of waving between cyclists and passengers. The Baldwin-built 2-8-0 steam locomotive, Mountain Thunder, retired in 2015.
In Mt Thunder’s place is a Baldwin Locomotive Works engine built-in 1949. No. 1309 was the world’s largest operating Mallet engine. It was constructed by the fabled Baldwin Locomotive Works and was their last domestic product. The Baldwin hauled freight for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway until retirement in 1956.
Now, GAP visitors can marvel at this significant landmark in U.S. steam locomotive manufacturing.