Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 1309 - Hands On The Throttle Cab Ride (4K Raw) - October 3, 2022

On October 3, 2022, one of my lifelong dreams came true, and I got to drive a steam locomotive: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 1309 - the largest operating coal-fired steam locomotive of its type in the world!
According to WMSR.com, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 1309 (formerly Chesapeake & Ohio Railway 1309) is a compound articulated class H-6 Mallet type 2-6-6-2 steam locomotive. It was built in 1949 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works (the last domestic steam locomotive ever built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works) and went into service to handle the C&O's heaviest coal trains throughout Kentucky and West Virginia until its retirement in 1956.
After a $2.8 million restoration, 1309 moved under its own power in 2020 after 64 years in retirement - the first time an articulated locomotive operated in the eastern United States since the retirement of Norfolk and Western 1218 in 1991.
This was a lifelong dream of mine come true. After more than two decades of riding behind both WM 734 and WM 1309, being able to operate 1309 under the excellent supervision of the WMSR Crew from the Cumberland Station, through the Narrows, and stopping just short of Helmstetter's Curve (all while laying on the New York Central six-chime passenger whistle) was an experience that I'm struggling to define accurately with words. The WMSR Crew did some very special and unexpected things for me on that trip that I'll never forget. It was emotional. It was epic. It was surreal. It was everything you wanted it to be and more.
I'd like to give a special and sincere thanks to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Mr. Wesley Heinz, the WMSR staff, and especially the WMSR Crew for making this experience not only possible, but for creating something that went above and beyond all expectations. Also, thank you to Hunter Crutchley for grabbing some amazing videos of 1309 while I was in the cab!
POV was recorded on a GoPro HERO9 Black. This video was recorded on October 3, 2022.
#wmsr #wmsrailroad #trains

[@npo64]

Awesome!!!

[@justinblackburn4356]

western 1309 gates down bridge over bridge Tracks1 gates down hom nice

[@samocchipinti1250]

Totally enjoyed this video Billy and Lori
Bill ,you are the most polite young man. You had a great upbringing!

[@makipsee]

this looks amazing! when looking into it more it seems they do not have this anymore. the excitement after reversing back, stopping and then the Engeneer says "already ready to go again?" epic!