The debut public runs of Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 have been set for Dec. 17, 18 and 19 when the Mallet-type locomotive will pull a series of Polar Express trips on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
The locomotive recently received Federal Railroad Administration approval to operate in revenue service and crews took it out on the WMSR mainline last weekend with three-car and eight-car trains.
WMSR officials told Railfan and Railroad magazine that crews are now making adjustments to the engine, including fine-tuning the system that enables it to alternate between simple and compound operations.
Plans are to run the 1309 for 100 miles of test runs before using it to pull passengers.
In a related development, Trains magazine said it will sponsor a three-day event featuring the 1309 on Feb, 25-27.
The event will be limited to 100 attendees and include 1309 pulling various excursions, a freight photo train, a night run, and a night photo shoot.
Tags: C&O 1309, Chesapeake & Ohio No. 1309, steam locomotives, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
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