Press Release

Western Maryland Steam Train unable to attend

June 15, 2010

For Immediate release

The West Virginia Rails 2010 committee would like to announce that steam locomotive no. 734 will not be able to attend the 100 year celebration of trains in Petersburg, WV. CSX railroad of Jacksonville, FL has declined to move the locomotive 10 miles to the South Branch Railroad from Cumberland, MD. After receiving tentative approval the first part of April, a decision was made that the steam locomotive can not be shipped on CSX rails.

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad will be sending GP-30 diesel locomotive in place of the steam locomotive. Passengers scheduled to ride behind no. 734 will be treated to an excursion behind vintage 1952 built streamlined Baltimore and Ohio diesel locomotive no. 722. Those passengers will also receive a voucher to be redeemed by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Cumberland, MD for a ride behind the no. 734 at no additional charge.

The West Virginia Rails 2010 committee is disappointed by the decision of CSX but is committed to holding a great event in Petersburg, WV on June 25-27, 2010. The first steam locomotive, no. 17 will be arriving June 18th to Petersburg, WV from North Carolina. Steam locomotive no. 75 will arrive June 23 from Scranton, PA. The rest of the locomotives will arrive June 24.