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Description
Western Maryland scenic railroad 2-8-0 number 734 sits quietly in storage, much like her sisters did half a century ago with the coming of the diesel, and awaits the day when she will be run again.

This was an emotional good bye to a dear friend, (one that I had known ever since I could remember anything. My first memory, (a scary one at that) is seeing a giant steel, fire breathing monster, that scared the living daylights out of me. It wasn't some blue tank engine, with a number one on it's side, out in Lancaster, Pa., no no, it was a magnificent black tender engine, with a 734 on it's side, and at first it was so scary. I had never seen a steam locomotive before. I had seen movies, like "The Train" and "Ace of Black Diamonds" but I had not anticipated so much noise, and size, and for a long time, 734 was the biggest locomotive I'd ever seen. She was the largest 2-8-0 in operation up until April, when she was retired.) for I knew I wouldn't see her in condition like this for a while. Soon the engine will be stripped of it's external appliances and wrapped in a tarp for winter storage.

I hope to be there when they start rebuilding her, so I can help this engine live again.

Description
Western Maryland scenic railroad 2-8-0 number 734 sits quietly in storage, much like her sisters did half a century ago with the coming of the diesel, and awaits the day when she will be run again.

This was an emotional good bye to a dear friend, (one that I had known ever since I could remember anything. My first memory, (a scary one at that) is seeing a giant steel, fire breathing monster, that scared the living daylights out of me. It wasn't some blue tank engine, with a number one on it's side, out in Lancaster, Pa., no no, it was a magnificent black tender engine, with a 734 on it's side, and at first it was so scary. I had never seen a steam locomotive before. I had seen movies, like "The Train" and "Ace of Black Diamonds" but I had not anticipated so much noise, and size, and for a long time, 734 was the biggest locomotive I'd ever seen. She was the largest 2-8-0 in operation up until April, when she was retired.) for I knew I wouldn't see her in condition like this for a while. Soon the engine will be stripped of it's external appliances and wrapped in a tarp for winter storage.

I hope to be there when they start rebuilding her, so I can help this engine live again.