Hagerstown to Review Locomotive 202 Donation at Next Council Meeting

The Hagerstown Mayor and Council will review a proposal to donate historic Steam Locomotive 202 to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) at their July 8 work session, a discussion-only meeting with no public comment or vote scheduled. The agreement would transfer ownership of the 1912 Baldwin K-2 Pacific locomotive for one dollar, with WMSR assuming all relocation and restoration costs, and grant city residents a permanent 25% discount on future scenic train excursions.

City staff first brought the idea before the council last summer after the only bid to cosmetically restore the locomotive at City Park came in four times over budget. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad representatives laid out plans in September 2024 to move the locomotive to Cumberland, Md., and fully restore it for passenger service on short scenic tours. The draft donation agreement before council members has been vetted by the city’s legal team and WMSR.

The agreement stipulates that WMSR will bear all costs for transporting and restoring Locomotive 202 within ten years, using no parts for other projects unless the city consents in writing. In return, the city’s financial obligation remains at zero dollars, aside from minimal staff assistance to facilitate the move. As part of the partnership, Hagerstown residents presenting valid ID showing city residency will receive a 25% discount on all WMSR-operated excursions in perpetuity.

WMSR’s phased restoration schedule extends from 2025 to 2035, beginning with initial fundraising, teardown, and boiler inspections in the first two years, followed by engineering, fabrication, and extensive boiler work through 2034. The final phase will see reassembly of key components and Federal Railroad Administration certification to return the locomotive to active service.

Under the terms of the draft agreement, WMSR must relocate Locomotive 202 from City Park to its Cumberland facility within 180 days or forfeit the donation and return the engine at its own expense. Moreover, WMSR has ten years to complete a full, FRA-compliant restoration; if it fails to meet that deadline—or if the City issues a written demand for return after restoration—WMSR must deliver the locomotive back to Hagerstown, either in its restored condition or “as is,” without cost to the City.

The fate of Locomotive 202 has been a fierce debate, with many local residents arguing that the locomotive should remain in Hagerstown. However, many outside of the Hagerstown area have continued to push for its donation to WMSR in order for it to be actively used again.

While the work session will not provide the opportunity for public comment, residents can always reach out to the Hagerstown City Council via email.

The full proposed donation agreement is available below.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the City of Hagerstown Public Works Department

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