July 26th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

According to documents obtained by WCBC News, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is experiencing financial problems, so much so that there are issues paying the rent and ridership fees.  The hope had been that a fully restored steam engine 1309 would provide a significant boost in ridership and revenue- however the documents received by WCBC suggest that the steam engine will not be ready for “some time”.  Plans to have 1309 ready for a grand July 4^th weekend open fell through as railroad superintendent John Garner announced that state re-imbursments for renovations had been slow in coming.  More recently a late September start up has been discussed, but the ongoing fiscal issues may jeopardize those plans. Numerous calls in recent weeks to both Garner as well as the chair of the railroads board of directors Mike Brant have not been returned.