Western Maryland Scenic expands with shortline lease
Georges Creek Railway will provide ‘passenger and freight opportunities’
THE WESTERN MARYLAND SCENIC RAILROAD has signed a long-term lease acquiring the Georges Creek Railway, a dormant short line in the southwestern portion of Maryland’s Allegany County. The short line will become the Georges Creek Division of the WMSR. Plans call for the branch line to be used for “passenger and potential freight opportunities,” according to a WMSR statement.
The Georges Creek line is a former CSX branch. The line, originally part of the Cumberland & Pennsylvania, was purchased by the Western Maryland Railway in 1944. CSX operated it until 2005, when it ceased operations because of a combination of washouts and declining traffic. The Eighteen Thirty Group purchased the branch in 2006 and continued to operate it until 2019 when the paper mill it served in Luke, Md., closed.
The new lease agreement comes after two years of discussions with the Eighteen Thirty Group, says Wesley Heinz, WMSR executive director. He indicated CSX Transportation and some businesses have occasionally approached WMSR about the possibility of providing limited freight service.
“CSX has been courteous enough to identify opportunities for WMSR, and the Georges Creek Division could help us fulfill these requests,” Heinz said. “Our staff has spent countless hours imagining a revitalization of the railroad line and how WMSR can use their vision to bring economic development to the Georges Creek valley through tourism and rail services.”
The Georges Creek Division will be set up as a separate business unit managed by WMSR. The new property gives WMSR greater opportunities for expansion in the wake of growth that has seen it go from more than 47,000 passengers in 2021 to almost 75,000 in 2023.
“Our first order of business will be to attend to the overgrowth of vegetation along the right-of-way, identify safety needs, and communicate with the community leaders along the ‘CRIK’ on how the WMSR can encourage and diversify tourism throughout the valley,” Heinz says.
The WMSR is also working to return its two steam locomotives to operation. Former Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 needs new pistons and rods. No. 734, a 2-8-0 built for the Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad by Baldwin in 1916, is due for its 1,472day FRA inspection and a complete rebuild.
During 2023, No. 1309 underwent running gear repairs that were designed to extend the life of the 75-year-old pistons. While not part of the original restoration, WMSR had plans to eventually replace the pistons. During operations in December, it was discovered the piston heads and rods now require complete replacement. The discovery dramatically accelerated the timetable for completing this project.
For more information on the WMSR or to assist with the locomotive projects, please visit: wmsr.com. — Trains staff