(The following story by Kevin Spradlin appeared on the Cumberland Times-News website on June 23, 2010.)
CUMBERLAND, Md. — An effort to celebrate 100 years of railroad in West Virginia lost steam when event organizers learned CSX had pulled its support from the three-day festival.
Jason Johnson, a member of the West Virginia Rails 2010 organizing committee, said the Petersburg, W.Va., event had gained verbal approval to have steam locomotive No. 734, operated by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, use 10 miles of CSX tracks from Cumberland to Green Spring, W.Va., in order to be available to spectators in Petersburg.
When asked why the change of heart, Johnson was at a loss to explain the sudden turn of events.
“They will not give us a reason,” Johnson said. “We had everything worked out, and they came back and told us ‘no.’ We have tried repeatedly (to learn why) without success.”
Up to 10,000 people are expected for the festival, which begins Friday and runs through Sunday. The atmosphere is designed to be a Disney World for rail enthusiasts of all ages. Displays include model trains, miniature train rides, and static displays of various rail cars and equipment.
Johnson said Frank Fowler, general superintendent of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, expressed “a bit of surprise” over the CSX decision that came at “the 11th hour.”
“We did everything in our power,” Johnson said, including having West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin call the CSX leadership in Jacksonville, Fla. “It’s one of those things you kind of learn to expect with big companies.”
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad still will have a presence at the festival in the form of a diesel locomotive. People who purchased tickets to ride behind the steam locomotive will receive vouchers for a future trip departing from Cumberland.
A phone call left for a CSX spokesman was not returned before deadline.
The event, which charges an admission fee, is coordinated by the Grant County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad.
The organizing committee is “disappointed by the decision of CSX but is committed to holding a great event,” according to a news release.
Johnson downplayed how the CSX decision will impact the weekend. For more information on the rail celebration, visit www.wvrails2010.com.