WM Scenic Railroad Facebook post 2/13/18:
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Announces Theft of Historic Artifacts and Railroad Equipment Parts; Progress on 1309 Restoration
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CUMBERLAND, MD. (February 13, 2018) – Executive Director John Garner today announced that charges are being brought against a former Western Maryland Scenic Railroad employee who allegedly used his position to steal numerous historic artifacts and railroad equipment parts belonging to the Scenic Railroad and then sold them for scrap at local salvage yards.
“These irreplaceable artifacts are property that was entrusted to our care for preservation and for the education and enjoyment of the public,” said Executive Director Garner. “Employees with access to the Western Maryland Scenic’s collection of railroad equipment and parts are trusted guardians who must not abuse their positions for personal gain. We are working with local and state law enforcement officials in Maryland and West Virginia and will vigorously prosecute any allegation that an individual has stolen or misappropriated WMSR’s property as their own.”
Some of the items include rare light fixtures and brass hardware from Western Maryland Office Car 204, bronze bearings and wear plates from Chesapeake and Ohio Steam Locomotive 1309, currently undergoing restoration, and numerous miscellaneous locomotive and passenger car parts.
“This individual had access to a wide array of WMSR’s collection of parts and artifacts,” said Executive Director Garner. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has cooperated fully in the investigation and the employer relationship WMSR had with this individual has ended.
Executive Director Garner thanked Allegany County Sherriff Craig Robertson for his department’s alertness and fast action, and thanked the West Virginia State Police for their assistance with the case in West Virginia.
“Any theft of artifacts or equipment parts from the WMSR is an unconscionable act,” said Garner. “A salvage yard notified the Allegany County Sherriff’s Office of suspicious salvage activity in early February and the Sherriff’s Office contacted WMSR on Tuesday, February 6. WMSR subsequently conducted an initial inventory of artifacts and equipment to determine what, if anything may have been missing. We are now assembling respected experts in artifact preservation and security to examine current security and storage procedures and make recommendations to strengthen them. The Board of Directors and I will review their report and carry out their recommendations.”
The charges in the case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Detailed information on the charges can be obtained from Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police. WMSR is working with experts in rail preservation and restoration to determine the full costs associated with the loss.
The Allegany County Maryland State’s Attorney is prosecuting the Maryland case. The investigation is ongoing and criminal charges are expected to be filed in West Virginia in the coming days.
Despite the setbacks from a funding shortfall and the alleged theft of parts, the restoration of former Chesapeake and Ohio steam locomotive #1309 is proceeding as funding becomes available. The initial letter writing campaign soliciting donations for the project has to date yielded over $30,000 in contributions with more fundraising efforts underway, including a winter photo freight event planned for February 24, 2018 that will include a night photo session. All funds raised will directly benefit the restoration of 1309. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit WMSR’s website at www.wmsr.com.
“While we had suspended full time work on 1309 over the winter pending additional funding, the generosity of supporters has made it possible to fund a major item on the project’s work list,” said Executive Director Garner. “We are happy to report that all of the driving wheels are currently in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with work scheduled to begin shortly. The work will include machining and quartering crank pins and machining the journal bearing surfaces on the axles which were pitted from years of exposure to the elements.” The work will be performed under the direction of Diversified Rail Services utilizing specialized steam locomotive wheel machines located at Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Soule Shop.
“We are committed to returning 1309 to steam as soon as is financially possible,” said Garner. “We have wasted no time in putting the dollars raised so far to work as quickly as possible. The preservation and local communities’ continued support is vital to the locomotive’s completion.”
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corporation is a quasi-public entity chartered by the State of Maryland and Allegany County to preserve the region’s railroad heritage and offer classic railroad experiences along the former Western Maryland Railway mainline corridor between Cumberland and Frostburg, Maryland. It has been operating mainline steam and diesel excursions since 1991.
Contact the railroad at trainmaster@wmsr.com for additional information or visit the Railroad’s website at www.wmsr.com.
Related: WM Scenic railroad obtains 1949 steam locomotive
