CUMBERLAND \u2014 The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad\u2019s popular excursion train to Frostburg has resumed\u00a0after\u00a0landslides along the route forced the shutdown of the trip\u00a0for more than\u00a0a year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you believe in something, you stick with it,\u201d said Diana Howard, the scenic railroad\u2019s human resource manager. \u201cI believe Frostburg missed us as much as we missed Frostburg.\u201d<\/p>\n
The discovery of two landslides in January 2016 caused railroad officials to discontinue the leg to the Frostburg Depot. At Frostburg, passengers could\u00a0watch the train\u2019s engine be rotated\u00a0180 degrees on a turntable for the return ride to the Western Maryland Railway Station in Cumberland.<\/p>\n
The railroad continued operating\u00a0throughout\u00a02016 by offering a shortened excursion to Woodcock Hollow at\u00a0Mount Savage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking forward to getting back to Frostburg,\u201d said John Garner, scenic railroad general manager.<\/p>\n
Spearheaded by Allegany County, repairs of the landslides were completed in March, and the\u00a0green light was issued to resume excursions to Frostburg.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the landslides are cleared,\u201d said Garner. \u201cI\u2019m happy for Allegany County. We couldn\u2019t have done it without the encouragement from the people, county officials and the businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Railroad officials have planned\u00a0a \u201cBack to the \u2018Burg\u201d celebration excursion for May 6 at 11:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one more way we can welcome the people in,\u201d said Garner.<\/p>\n
Howard said the celebration will include local elected officials and other speakers along with music and a ribbon cutting in Frostburg.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it will be a great celebration for Allegany County that our passengers can\u00a0visit Cumberland and visit beautiful\u00a0Frostburg,\u201d said Howard. \u201cIt\u2019s a partnership between two communities and a great adventure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garner said he expects the scenic railroad\u00a0to draw\u00a0nearly 40,000 riders\u00a0for the 2017 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited and looking forward to a good, solid year,\u201d said Garner. \u201cThe support of Allegany County is making it all possible, from the neighbors and the commission to the businessmen. Allegany County recognizes how important tourism and the railroad is to the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garner said runs to Frostburg on Saturdays and Sundays have begun in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a new crew, so we need to get them up to speed for when the season starts rocking\u00a0and rolling,\u201d Garner said.<\/p>\n
The railroad is currently using two diesel engines \u2014 Nos.\u00a0501 and 502 built in the early 1960s \u2014 to pull the five to seven cars used for excursions.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the special celebration we will have a double head,\u201d said Garner. \u201cIt means we run both engines. We will have a nice couple-hour celebration for our return to Frostburg.\u201d<\/p>\n
The excursions have a capacity of about 300 riders.<\/p>\n
Garner said passengers have been requesting the continuation of theme rides this year. He said murder mystery, wine and cheese and special dinner rides are popular. The railroad uses Herb Otter Productions, Baldwin, to produce\u00a0the murder mystery excursions.<\/p>\n
The scenic railroad is also partnering with the Gunter Hotel in Frostburg.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working with the Gunter Hotel so people can stay overnight in Frostburg and have breakfast and then catch the train the next day back,\u201d said Garner.<\/p>\n
Railroad officials are planning to bring back the iconic steam engine by September. The railroad had been powered by steamer Mountain Thunder No. 734 for years before the engine had to be dismantled for a required overhaul.<\/p>\n
Railroad officials are hoping to have Maryland Thunder No. 1309, a 2-6-6-2 Mallet steam locomotive, ready for duty in September.<\/p>\n
The railroad will begin excursions Thursday through Sunday in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
For more information on the scenic railroad, including ticket availability for the May 6 celebration and other excursions, visit www.wmsr.com<\/a> or call 1-800-Train50.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n