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Western MD Scenic Railroad, Not Fully Back Up Until 2017

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad website

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) - The superintendent of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad says the train won't resume runs along its entire, 16-mile route until next year.

John Garner told the Cumberland Times-News  on Thursday that engineers are concerned about the stability of the track bed after a landslide forced the tourist attraction to shorten rides by about one-third this season.

The railroad had hoped to resume full trips in August.

The landslide last winter caused ground beneath the track to subside by 2 to 4 feet. Garner says the bedrock recently shifted, so more work is needed. He had no cost estimate.

Meanwhile, the railroad has added locomotive shop visits to its excursions between Cumberland and Woodcock Hollow near Mount Savage. The stretch from Mount Savage to Frostburg is closed.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.