M&NTCo Cumberland Shops Locomotive Works.

[ES44AH]

Our Cumberland Shops in Cumberland, Maryland is now starting to build new steam locomotives. We will build steamers for excursion service, special occasions, or for regular service. Currently the shop forces are preparing to build the class NGS-1X Diesel fueled steam locomotive. The NGS-1X is based off the ACE-3000, but it is an updated design. These new steamers are rated for 5000hp and can be set up for multiple unit capabilities. The most recent built-from-scratch steamer to leave the Cumberland Shops, is the X-class 2-10-10-8-4 Triplex high-horsepower steam locomotive. The Triplex is rated for 9500hp, and has a high tractive effort. If your Railroad wants a steam locomotive for special events, excursions, or want to run a steamer in regular service, feel free to send a PM.

[ES44AH]

The locomotive R&D team has improved upon the NGS locomotive program. 2 new designs include a wide cab and passenger versions. These new steamers will be designed to run off biodiesel, meaning less smoke and fumes than a conventional steam locomotive.

[Saturnalia]

The locomotive R&D team has improved upon the NGS locomotive program. 2 new designs include a wide cab and passenger versions. These new steamers will be designed to run off biodiesel, meaning less smoke and fumes than a conventional steam locomotive.

And make the EPA happy.

[ES44AH]

the damaged Shay from the Martinsburg fire will be moved to the shops for repair. Passenger cars 12001 and 2546 will be scrapped.

[ES44AH]

Updates for the PM 1223 restoration. The frame has been completed, all that has to be done to frame now is to reassemble suspension and to join the wheels to frame. The boiler is about 75% complete, the only metal work that has to be done on the boiler is to do the boiler jacketing. Expecting to conduct boiler pressure tests sometime next week. The tender will be moved to paint shop tomorrow. As of this time, if no delays occur, the 1223 should be running under her own power by early February.

[ES44AH]

#54 to cumberland for conversion.

Passenger cars #:WM coaches 1200-1204, C&O Diner 10304, B&O Sleepers 4598-4601, and Mountain View to Mt. Clare car shops. ALCo PB power unit to Cumberland shops.

[ES44AH]

Update on PM 1223: Drivers, pilot truck, and trailing truck have been attached to frame. Rods and cylinders are still being worked on. Cab has been reattached to boiler. Steam pressure tests will be conducted next week. Tender still has numerous leaks.

[ES44AH]

Frame is completed on both the tender and locomotive of NGS-1X.

PM 1223 will be ready for boiler pressure test on Sunday.
Tender still has leaks.

Triplex #80 is getting work done on drivers under tender, due to pressure problems.

[ES44AH]

Steam pressure test for PM 1223 is complete, the boiler is rated for 245psi. All tender leaks have been sealed, the tender now holds water.

[ES44AH]

PM 1223 update: Boiler has been reattached to frame. Drivers and pilot have been attached also.

NGS-1x update: Renamed to NGS-1D. The locomotive will be built to run off diesel instead of coal. Locomotive (A) unit has been completed. Unit B (Tender) is undergoing rebuilding to contain diesel.

[ES44AH]

Sending Unit A of NGS-1D to the Rollers, The rollers (which were put in place last year) are used to give locomotives a "test run" before leaving the shops for test on the main. PM 1223 will be sent to rollers next week. The locomotives are separated from the tenders, and run off of house steam supplied by a stationary boiler. The rollers can hold our largest locomotive, #54. NGS-1D #90 is the first engine to use them. Road tests of 1223 will be conducted in 2 weeks. #90 will not be ready until Feb. 3.

Switcher #1 will pull 3 more steamers from the storage track, to main hall for rebuilding. Locomotives CLW-1 (4-4-2), CLW-4 (2-6-0), and CLW-5 (4-8-4).

[ES44AH]

PM 1223 updates: Under her own power, performed with great results on rollers. We will conduct road tests next week.

NGS-1D #90 had some issues on rollers, mostly balancing with drivers.

[ES44AH]

PM 1223 to begin road tests. It is switching Evitts Creek yard to test reverse gear. Tomorrow it will pull a mixed freight from Cumberland to Baltimore.

[ES44AH]

Track maintainence has finished at Point of Rocks. PM 1223 will take train CBF-2 to Baltimore. It will be paired up with #40. 1223 will bring the loaded BCF-1 on Friday. On saturday, 1223 will be used as a Helper on Sand Patch.

[ES44AH]

Tomorrow, the M&N will unveil the "Heritage Locomotives." The steamers were repainted to their original paint/lettering. Locomotives numbered: #3, #5, #55 are in their original WM lettering, with their original number. Locomotives numbered: #40 and #56 are also wearing their original B&O lettering. #3 is now WM 734, #5-750, and #55 is now 1401. #40 is now B&O 4515, and #56 is now B&O #7609.

[ES44AH]

PM 1223 is in maintainence hall B for loose rods.

#90 will conduct road tests wednesday.

[ES44AH]

PM1223 has her rods tightened. She will be hauling the Mountaineer this evening.

NGS-1D #90 will conduct roadtests next week.

[ES44AH]

Today, Feb. 2, 2013, The cumberland shops and I are proud to present five steam locomotives to honor the two parent companies that gave our railroad life and made it what it is today. We decided to start a heritage program 3 months ago because the 50th anniversary was in December of last year, but aside from a Director's special, we had nothing to really represent our history. Now, we have 5 examples to represent our history. As the crew fire up these special engines, we look back to reflect on the past 50 amazing years. The M&N of 1962 was nothing like the M&N of 2013. We only had 2 steamers, a WM M-1a and a B&O 0-10-0. Now we have a fleet of some of the finest steam locomotives ever built, from the small but powerful 2-8-0 to the advanced, high-horsepower Y-class from the N&W. We follow in the footsteps of the great Baltimore and Ohio from the Queen city of Cumberland to the gruelling grade of Sandpatch in the Allegheny mountains and from the suburbs of Baltimore to the banks of the Potomac river. Hauling coal from west to the docks to the east. For 50 years, this once small bridge line flourished into the railroad it is today. Now, i present the 5 locomotives that will honor the WM and the B&O.

The first is M&N 734, painted as its former self, WM 734. This 2-8-0 was one of WM's many H-class consolidations. She worked the yards of Knodmount in West Virginia and the yards of Baltimore and Hagerstown. Next, another 2-8-0 is M&N 750. 750 was also one of the many H-class built between 1920 through 1950. She worked along side the 734 in their days with the WM, but when they switched from diesel to steam in the mid-'50s, they found themsleves in the scrapyards. But, our shop mechanic in our Cumberland shop, restored her to her former glory, as WM 750. The last engine representing the Western Maryland was WM's last steamers. M&N 55, was restored to her former self as 4-8-4 Potomac 1401. These big steamers replaced the Challengers, and lasted right up until the WM started buying diesel power. Unforntunately, 1401 is the sole surviving J-class from the WM. Now she will return to do what she was built to do, haul heavy freights up the steep mountain grades. These 3 engines represent the road who help ed make us what we are.

Now from our other former owner, the Baltimore and Ohio. The B&O really gave us a headstart, but went bankrupt in the mid-70's. The B&O and the WM created the M&N as a joint operations. The first of the B&O heritage is 2-8-2 Q-2 class number 4515. 4515 served on the same tracks she runs on now. She was also one of our oldest locomotives on roster. 4515 is on of 3 Q-classes on the roster, but since it was one of our first, she was selected for the program. The next heritage unit was considered the B&O's most famous locomotives. They were the biggest steamers they owned. I proudly introduce the last surving of these giants. 2-8-8-4 EM-1 #7609. 7609 is an example of B&Os heavy hauling locomotives, built to tackle the steep grades of Sandpatch in Pennsylvania and Cranberry Grade in West Virginia. Now, 60 years after being scratched from the roster, 7609 still continues to serve her true purpose.

This event marks an important milestone for the M&N, marking 50 years on service and still maintaining that status. Im sure that if the WM or B&O were still around, they would not have expected this small railroad would become what it is today. After today, these 5 units will be serving system wide. From as farw west as Pittsburg, to Baltimore. Blasting through Sand Patch tunnel in the Allegheny mountains or slugging a heavy freight up Par's ridge in Mt.Airy. Let's hope that 50 years from now we are still holding strong and keeping the simple railroading tradition, with fire and steel and that lonesome whistle echoing through the valleys.

As president of this company, i want to personally thank all of those who made the M&N the proud road that it is, and to those who will run our trains in the future. With these five engines, our history will live on and it will live on with pride.


Thank you,
President/CEO of the Maryland and Northern transportation Company.

[ES44AH]

The outdoor exhibits are open for public viewing. The shop tours will begin at 3:30.

Locomotives on display:


M&NTCo. SP-1 by C39-8, on Flickr



MNTC X-1 by C39-8, on Flickr



MNTC Steam crane by C39-8, on Flickr



MNTC GM6C by C39-8, on Flickr



MNTCo 67 by C39-8, on Flickr



MNTCo 54 by C39-8, on Flickr

[DT&I]

Nice!