A 65-year-old steam locomotive will be restored and transferred from the B&O; Railroad Museum to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
The restoration will bring the locomotive back to full service. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in September 1949 as the last commercially-built steam locomotive for use by a U.S. railway, the engine has been at the museum since 1972, according to a Western Maryland Scenic Railroad news release.
"This historic agreement is a win-win for railroad preservation. It ensures the long-term preservation and restoration of an important steam locomotive which is central to our mission," B&O; museum director Courtney B. Wilson said in a prepared statement.
The locomotive will be prepared for shipment to Western Maryland shops at the B&O; Railroad Museum's restoration facility. A CSX train will then pull the locomotive on flat cars, the release said.
"With the full support of the Board of Directors, the continued efforts of the executive directors, staff and employees of the WMSR have allowed for growth and prosperity of our wonderful tourist attraction in Western Maryland, WMSR board president Mark Farris said. "These efforts have provided the resources to give the WMSR the opportunity to acquire locomotive 1309, restore it, and place it back into service in a wonderful mountainous setting where thousands of people can enjoy the sights and sounds of a bygone era.