Western Maryland 1309 - Thunder In The Hills | WMSR Frostburg Flyer

Описание: During a scorching summer Saturday, I'd find myself making the short trip up to Western Maryland to go see steam at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for the first time. Chesapeake & Ohio "H-6" Class #1309 (now lettered for the Western Maryland) is the railroad's only (currently!) operating steam locomotive. The locomotive is nicknamed "The Beast of the East" and "Maryland Thunder"; it's easy to tell by these names that the big Mallet is quite loud. Let me tell you, it sure lives up to these names! I had to turn the volume down twenty percent for the shot at Trimble.

The #1309 makes regular appearances on the Western Maryland Scenic, usually running every Saturday and Sunday on the "Frostburg Flyer" excursions, and occasionally Friday nights on the "Sunset On The Mountain" trips. A decently sized crowd - around twenty or so - of chasers would follow the train on its short journey from Cumberland to Frostburg, Maryland.

The hilly terrain of Western Maryland makes for an exceptional echo of both the whistle and stack-talk of the #1309. There were points along the chase in which we could hear the train coming from well over a mile away. The addition of the fireman's personal Baltimore & Ohio Six Chime whistle would make for a fantastic experience. I would consider this some of the best steam locomotive sound I have been able to witness. I will definitely be back to the the #1309 soon!
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From the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad:

Constructed in 1949 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Chesapeake & Ohio Railway steam locomotive No. 1309 was built to handle the railroad’s heaviest coal trains throughout Kentucky and West Virginia until it was retired in 1956.

64 years later, no. 1309 took her first steps under steam after a meticulous and extensive restoration to service. In her first season on the WMSR, the locomotive became an outstanding tourist attraction for Allegany County, operating trains between Cumberland and Frostburg, Maryland. The 1309 is now the largest regularly operating steam locomotive in the country.

To ride along and support the WMSR, click here: https://wmsr.com

This production was shot on July 12th, 2025.
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0:00 Cumberland, Maryland
1:00 The Narrows
3:30 Helmstetter's Curve
5:04 Trimble
6:34 Frostburg Depot
7:03 Credits
7:34 Woodcock Hollow
8:28 Conclusion
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