February 26th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

A major shake-up at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, with the abrupt termination of a longtime key member of the administration, and a new board member appointed. WCBC News has learned that Dan Pluta, chief mechanical officer for the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, and a veteran who has been with the operation since its inception has been fired.  While efforts to contact General Manager Michael Gresham were not successful. Board President Mark Farris did talk to WCBC News but would only say it was an “operational issue” that did not involve the board. He suggested any comments would need to come from Gresham. WCBC News has confirmed through a number of sources that Pluta was given two weeks serverance pay and relieved of his duties last week.  In other railroad board news, former Maryland Speaker of the House Casper Taylor has been appointed to the 14-member board and participated in his first meeting earlier this month. Since leaving public office in 2002, Taylor has worked as a lobbyist for the firm of Alexander and Cleaver.