Thunder on, 734 - Farewell Western Maryland Scenic 734
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- Опубликовано: 17 ноя 2024
- “Mountain Thunder.” The name alone sums up the effort it takes to get up the rails of the old Western Maryland right of way out of Cumberland, Maryland. For over 100 years, this mountainous grade has seen some of the largest engines of their class, both steam and diesel, struggling to get over this treacherous line.
For over two decades, the Western Maryland spirit was well represented from the unlikeliest of sources; a Michigan based iron ore hauler. With the bulky 2-8-0 now exiting service for a Federally mandated rebuild, we look back on the route, the tourist operation, and this locomotive in “Thunder On, 734.”
Donate to the 734 restoration fund at www.flipcause....
Photos of WMSR: www.dynamopro.n...
Special thanks to Jack Kuiphoff for donating footage of the Allegheny Central, Richard Boylan for donating footage of 734 in 1993, Walter Scriptunas II for footage of LS&I 33, and Luke Iverson for donating additional footage of the January 2016 photo special.
Don't forget to comment, like, share, and subscribe for plenty of great railroading action from all over the eastern USA!
Photo charters: www.dynamopro.n...
Dynamo Productions Web site: www.dynamopro.net/
DYP Facebook: / dyprod
Richard Boyland's video of 734 from '93 on RUclips • Western Maryland Sceni...
Jack Kuiphoff's video of the Allegheny Central 1286 in 1990: • Steam locomotive brake...
Seeing that engine back in 2006 sparked my lifelong love of trains.
Wow! Excellent... One of the best steam locomotive documentaries I have ever seen! Great sound, camera angles, positioning, etc. Lots of spunk for a little engine. And hats off to her crew as well for their skill at keeping a good head of steam.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed
A fitting tribute to a wonderful locomotive. Well done.
Thanks
@@sebastianfloyd372 Yes, we mentioned 1309. However, 734's restoration will depend on funding. 1309's completion will not mark the beginning of 734's restoration unless funds are available.
awesome video of this railroads steamer final runs
Beautifully crafted video! It almost brought tears to my eyes hearing the 734 and thinking of all the memories! This engine is and always will be a staple to my beginnings in the hobby! Awesome video recap of the long career of 734!
Glad you enjoyed
What a beautiful narrative and of course I loved the views! Wish I could have ridden this train. Sad to think of it being retired 🥲
Glad you enjoyed
Po-Toe-Mick River
Very nice video though. Love the 734.
Glad you enjoyed
An excellent look back at a wonderful two decades. Great video! Mountain Thunder WILL be back... mark my words! It is only a matter of time and financial resources that will determine how soon. Fortunately, we will have C&O #1309 to fill the void that can ONLY be filled by a steam locomotive while our "old faithful" #734 is overhauled. I would give anything to witness a #734 and #1309 doubleheader from Ridgeley to Frostburg with a full 15 car train during peak fall color excursion season in October. Hopefully it happens someday, MANY times over! Even if there are no doubleheaders, just for WMSR to have both locomotives operational at the same time would be enough of a treat a few years from now. Dream on, fellow railfans!
Klein's
Kqikkkkl
Maybe the WMSR might expand their tracks to beyond the points they have right now. You know restore more abandoned portions of WM's trackage.
In theres a tunnel directly behind the turntable
Glad you enjoyed
That Frostburg tunnel will not fit the Western Maryland scenic’s passenger cars, and in fact it’s too narrow to even fit the locomotives bigger than a GP30. Past the tunnel, there’s a bunch of housing developments. There is nothing to expand beyond the turntable
Wow, a beautiful loco that reminds me of similar ones based on USA design in use on South Australian Railways back in the day!
734 was 1 of the 1st steam engines I ever watched on video back in 95 I hear her whistle and I tear up Because I think of my son Who is almost a year old now
I moved here in 2012. It was nice to here 734's whistle and see her getting ready to pull an excursion train. Now all there is are boring diesels and that new steam engine that seemingly will never be ready for use. Bring back 734!
734 will never turn a wheel under her own power again, thanks to the WMSR neglecting her.
@@BenBensonStudiosshe actually entered the shops just over a year ago. She’ll likely be out before 2026.
Mountain thunder will be back!
Nice video wow 😯
Thanks
That was a lot of fun to watch! Great work Salvatore!
I was enjoying the narration but at the same time wanting to hear the engine work and the whistle. I thought wouldn’t it be nice if there was a second part without speaking and just enjoy the engine. That’s just what we got, Thank You, awesome job!!! Subbed!
Glad you enjoyed
I've been going to WMS since 2005 and its sad to see 734 go but I've spent my hole life seeing 1309 a the B&O museum so
it will be just as special if they ever get it running
Update they have finished the restoration of 1309 they are doing tests on her now but they have to upgrade the rail to support her weight
She makes all the right noises
What a awsomme locomotive!
Agreed, we certainly miss it.
I live about an hour or so away from 734 twin sister number 35 at the Illinois railway museum. Sadly she's seen better days, but the funny thing is IRM is where 734 came from before coming to the WMSR. What a small world!
As built, engine 734 was actually L.S.&.I. 18, but soon after in August 1923, it was remembered during the railroad's consolidation to 34.
Nice Video
Thanks
Woah, I wasn't expecting a Star Brass 14:43
Plenty of room to go around on that turntable. XD I see what you did there!
WE'LL MISS THAT AWESOME-SPLENDID STEAM TRAIN SO MUCH. :'-(
+superchief 88, Yes, Friend. You are Right. Thank You For Telling Me. Thank You.
you are the Best, Just a Compliment.
This Is The First Operating Steam locomotive I’ve ever met In person, Though I Was Pretty Upset when She was taken out of service, Of course she is easier to restore her than UP Challenger #3985 (No Offense What so ever). I only remember meeting her once in my life, C&O #1309 is almost fully restored though, so I’ll see my first Articulated locomotive in operation once their open after this Pandemic ends!
Me too.
@@itsjohnsonjackson I used to play on that h6 when I was a kid back when it didn't have all that rust.
We miss the 734, but we'll be happy with 1309 running
the way he pronounces Potomac is infuriating
Yeah, that was quite the "fingernails on chalkboard" moment wasn't it? :D
Gorgeous!!!
Agreed
13:32 I hope the Western Maryland will start on 734 sometime this year since I think with the rebuild of 1309 nearing close 734's rebuild might start in the coming year or 2. I got my fingers crossed since 734 is my favorite consolidation and I really want to see her running again.
I'm sure she will soon, 1309 will be a delight to do the honors of pulling trains and when 734 comes along, who knows, maybe they'll do a double header one day
@@shanewalters2565 I hope so too I follow the western maryland facebook book and they just bought all the remaining parts they need for 1309 so once coivd 19 is gone they'll add the parts and soon enough she'll be thundering down the rails of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and do some photo freights too
@@evanf1293 Indeed, over 180+ steam locomotives have been restored to operation, the numbers will continue to go up in the future soon;)
@@shanewalters2565 yep and I doubt they'll never stop
Tụu@@shanewalters2565
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I don't think there will be many visitors to the WMSR now that 734 is out of service. Like I said, 734 is such an icon with WMSR.
They'll be back for 1309
Y'know, If I ever go to cumberland, I may visit The WMSR and see 1309 when it's in operation
We now have the same type of steam engine sitting at the Oakland train station in Garrett county
That would be former Mississippian 2-8-0 76.
@@DynamoProductions-trains thank you sir, it is painted up in B&O livery, with white rims.
734 will return to the high iron at some point but the engine does deserve a good brake
It's earned a long break, and 1309 will have a good 14 years to run.
Would love to see her come out of the shops with a few tweaks from the Modern Steam toolbox. More horsepower, less pollution, less water and fuel use. Oh, and less water-side maintenance, too.
I so deferentially want the 734 to be my mighty steam engine to pull the Special Olympics Nebraska Express train with 218 cars!!!!!!!!!!
What?
734s sister, #33 used to run at the hocking Valley scenic railroad here in Nelsonville,Oh some years ago. Now she's currently owned by the Ohio Central and is at the AoS roundhouse
We've seen 33 at Sugarcreek, it's nice to see an LS&I engine as it did look
I’m mad at western Maryland for retiring the good ol’ 734.
734 was built by Baldwin in 1916 originally as Lake Superior and ishpeming number 34. After being retired in the late 50’s, she would be purchased by the Western Maryland. She would run excursions on the line until 2016, when the western Maryland decided to ruthlessly retire 734 for 2 reasons.
Reason 1: 34 was getting old and she was about to break down, so they decided to retire her to inspect her and overhaul her.
Reason 2: Because of 34’s absence, they we’re waiting for the final results of the restoration of Chesapeake and Ohio H-6 class mallet number 1309.
But I’m also glad that 1309 is returning. You don’t see much mallets or big boys in operation nowadays.
wmsr.com/steam-the-dream/
Didn't the WMSR announce in March 2022 that they will be receiving funds for a potential evaluation on the 734?
Good-looking video. Certainly makes my 1993 clips look vintage.P.S.: Those of you who want to see all of my 1993 video of 734, it's here: ruclips.net/video/IQrLzLtkjxA/видео.html
+rboylan Thanks, and thank you so much for the footage, this wouldn't have been possible without your contribution. We've added a link to your video in the video description as well.
Rest In Peace, 734.
I hope 734 will run again in less than a decade. Still she worked very hard thundering up the mountain from Cumberland to Frostburg MD. After such hard work she deserves a hiatus. That's what ide want if I was the engine. I'm so glad another steam locomotive will take her place. C&O 1309 is an articulated steamer. I'm sure she will be as powerful as 734. Though it's a bigger engine like the Challenger or Big Boy, how will it be rotated on the turntable in Frostburg MD? Maybe once 1309 retches her summit point she'll be pulled back by a diesel.
+Pinchie08 1309 may be a 2-6-6-2, but it is relatively small for an articulate. The tender for starters, is shorter than 734's. From our understanding the engine will fit on the table.
As Dynamo Productions stated she will fit on the turntable in Frostburg. however a recent problem was discovered she might be to big on the curve entering Frostburg and that she might have to pull the train in reverse down the hill. There was an article earlier this year on it.
Nice!
Glad you enjoyed
It's getting fixed up again!
As usual, love the video. Will you guys be going to Bryson City, NC to do some videos of The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad #1702? Her first excursion since 2004 will be on July 22, 2016.
Long overdue response, but we were there for the fall run that 1702 did.
Hehe... 5:15 you kinda messed up the pronunciation of the river.
A symptom of a mid-western narrator.
Great video! Such a shame 734 may not run for a really long time. When ever your chasing 734, how do you get Brush Tunnel? I can’t find a road real close. It looks like a mile or so hike, but that doesn’t seem direct. How did you guys get there to film it?
There is no real road. It's a back road to a neighborhood, and you still have to hike uphill. It's honestly easier to just bike to the tunnel
Dynamo Productions alright thank you
Anyone post and video or pictures of 734 and what it looks like in 2020?
She’s in poor condition, her tender has been uncoupled from her engine, and is sitting in the yard in clumberland from what I heard.
@@Thatonerandomguy1331 wow seriously? That's ridiculous.
@@Nightwaterproject yes I know, but I heard that they plan to get 734 up and running after 1309 is complete.
@@Thatonerandomguy1331 that would be great!
Fortunately, WMSR has begun to take care of 734 and its cosmetic appearance.
Two wheel slips at 9:18 and 9:27
Also @8:54, what was THAT whistle 734 was wearing?
SP 6 chime
SP 6-Chime by the sounds of it.
Jonathan Eau Claire thanks! Beautiful sound isn't it?
Indeed
It's the Puh-TO-mick, not the Pot-o-mack. The commentator speaks American English well enough, how does one not know how to pronounce such a well-known River?
Why doesn't the scenic railroad barely run any authentic WM Locomotives?
Only two authentic WM steam engines are left. WM 6, a Shay operated by the Cass Scenic Railroad. And WM 202, a K-2 Pacific in the city of Hagerstown Maryland. A 4-6-2 Pacific like 202 could run the WMSR's route but could not handle the trains the WMSR runs without a great deal more aid than 734 or 1309 will ever need. As for diesels, it's simply because they do not own any original WM diesels.
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WHY 734 THAT WAS A TRAIN OF MENORY THAT TRAIN WAS LAST TIME I SEEN MY GRANDPA BEFORE HE DIED 😭😭😭
I've know 734 since I was a child but ever knew if had a nickname and can you believe it's been 3 years since 734 last ran and the work to restore it hasn't even started yet well I mean they are restoring 1309 but I think they should of put 734 someplace safe instead of sitting in the yard becuase I've seen some picture that the locomotive sititng in the yard looks to be slowing starting to rust
The 1309 was priority. They're finally starting to work on 734 again, at least cosmetically
@@DynamoProductions-trains yeah seen on their facebook
So, are they finally working on the mountain Thunder 734 again, just at least cosmetically?
@@christianromo8444 little by little, you can also check their facebook as well
I saw it on Google.
Whern will 734 will be coming back I sevese
No one knows when (or if) the engine will return to service for sure.
I hope it does 735 is one of my favorite steam locomotive
Oh she WILL RETURN!
It's being replaced by engine 1309 which was a former C&O Baldwin 2-6-6-2 built in 1950? Not sure when that engine is supposed to enter service since western Maryland ran out of funds to properly restore her.
STEAM IT UP MOUNTAIN THUNDER #734 JUST DO IT LIKE NIKE!,0:20
It will be a while
R.I.P. Western Maryland 734. You will be missed. =( Actually, does anyone know where I can get Western Maryland 734 on Trainz?
Our friends over at K&L Trainz have produced a wonderful model of 734 for Trainz, it can be found here: kltrainz.com/734.html
Dynamo Productions I actually discovered that just after I posted that, but I'll copy that to Notepad. Thanks!
Is 734 gone forever?
No one is certain when or if the engine will ever return to service. Of course many are hopeful, but nothing can be said for certain until the railroad gets the chance to tear the engine apart and inspect it. Then if time and money are both permitting it may return. Or maybe not, time will tell.
Dynamo Productions Oh, well. At least I can still get it on Trainz. Now, where is my grandpa's debit card?
22 dislikes?!?! Like, what the hell??
I think the DC folks got pissed at the pronunciation of Potomac 😂
@@HHopebringer
Piss right back on them!
Maybe we’re not too crazy about how they do their job we pay them very generously to do!
Just look at the likes
The video changed and my comment was not for this video. Sorry.
R.I.P Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 734, 1916-2016.
she's not done
When did the WM stop as a revenue road?.
1983, once it was fully absorbed into Chessie System
Guess large roads still love to absorb the smaller ones and then take away their unique identity. Especially if the road will continue to exist but with the only change being the name.
Does anyone know how 734 got nicknamed mountain thunder?
Due to her amazing stack talk which echos thru the mountains like thunder!
@@Thatonerandomguy1331 oh that's interesting
@@atsfevan0242 lol i know
@@Thatonerandomguy1331 glad that 1309 has been given a nickname to Maryland thunder
@@atsfevan0242 lol, I l know, a good name for such a large locomotive !
734 haent done much thundering recently
Well this was a farewell video
well yeah, but eh. thought id be jokey with it abit. 1309 will fill in for 734 on thundering until they can find the time and money to overhaul 734, she is pretty worse for wear. would be cool to see her put on loan to a mueseum in the mean time
What is the status on 734?
It has been placed out of service for the foreseeable future. With the 1309 entering service soon, it will be a few years before WMSR determines if a rebuild for 734 is even feasible. At the very least, the 734 is getting some cosmetic attention lately
@@DynamoProductions-trains I talked to an engineer and he said one they get 1309 completed they are going to work on getting 734 back in action, he said the only reason they took it out was because it was getting rough and wouldn't pass inspection and because of the 1309 project they didn't have any money to be putting towards it at the moment. he also said in the future they want to run a double header up the mountain
what happen to the 734!?
The locomotive became due for its Federally Mandated Form 4 Inspection, better known as the 1472. Once every 15 years, or every 1472 service days (whichever comes first) a steam locomotive must be disassembled and thoroughly inspected. This is a long process, one which may reveal issues that prove too expensive to address, leading to the retirement of an engine, or a prolonged absence. As the WMSR is rebuilding another larger steam engine currently, it is doubtful that even under a best case scenario that we will see the 734 operate within the next decade.
Awwwww hopefully the new mallet type is better
Better how?
+Everett Meehling pulling power the 734 always needed a helper in the winter and fall months
True, however consider the absurdity of a 2-6-6-2 being used to pull 4-5 car trains from May-September. It certainly will cut into, if not eliminate profits from those trips.
Will it return to service?....?
It's possible.
@@DynamoProductions-trains if big boy
4104 can return certainly this could
So....it is being rebuilt?
Nothing has happened yet, not while 1309 still is getting work
Well unfortunately it won't be happening as just last night Western Maryland revealed on their Facebook that they've retired 734 indefinity, so it looks like mountain thunder will sadly not be returning to steam as LS&I/WM 734 is officially retired and 1309 is replacing it.
Keyword there is “indefinitely”.
@@DynamoProductions-trains ok then my bad but still it looks like 34/734 will not be getting rebuilt to run again
Potomac River I've heard of but never have I heard of the "Pon-ta-mac" River. One of the most well
known rivers and he mispronounces it.
Is this 734 last run?
As of now, yes. The final run was April 2016.
So then what happened to 734
It’s been sitting in the WMSR yard while the railroad rebuilds C&O 1309 to operation. The 734 might be rebuilt later on but there’s no word when that could happen.
Would they mind if rhey put it on sale
They’re not selling it.
Potty Mick... Ha Ha Ha...
sad
At least they’re working on it cosmetically again
please, please, learn to pronounce Potomac!!