Scenic railroad working to make ride more appealing

March 26--CUMBERLAND -- While the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad continues to see an increase in ridership, General Superintendent Michael Gresham wants the tourist railroad to grow and become more of a tourist draw to the region.

"We're continuing our quest to become the premier excursion railroad in the eastern United States," Gresham said. To do that, Gresham is looking at tweaking schedules and providing more activities for riders, especially during the 90-minute layover in Frostburg. When there are complaints or comments from passengers, "nothing to do" during the layover is a common subject, Gresham said.

The FrostburgFirst group has obtained some funding to run a trolley up to Main Street in Frostburg, Gresham said.

"We want to do it right and start slowly," said Daniel Witter, the assistant Main Street manager. The idea is to help the many businesses by bringing the tourists into town. "We have great eateries here in Frostburg," Witter said.

"We plan to run it every Saturday this year," Gresham said. Witter said the trolley runs could eventually be expanded and it's understood some riders would prefer to stay at the depot during the layover.

Frostburg State University could also be part of the plans to entertain tourists or offer other amenities, Gresham said. The possibilities with FSU are in the idea stage. Gresham said he heard FSU President Jonathan Gibralter talk about the possibility at a meeting they both attended.

Of course, the Thrasher Carriage Museum is also available, Gresham said.

There are other ideas, too.

"We're trying some biker trains out this year," Gresham said, allowing cyclists to take their bikes with them for a ride to or from Frostburg. There will also be more Christmas trains, which are very popular, Gresham said.

Ridership was up by 4 percent in calendar year 2013, Gresham said, with 37,500. According to passenger surveys, more than 12,400 stayed in local motels, Gresham said. Passengers hailed from all 50 states and seven foreign countries.

Gresham said the railroad provides important economic benefits beyond spending by tourists.

The railroad has 16 full-time and 17 part-time employees who were paid $642,000 in wages and another $185,000 in benefits for 2013, Gresham said. The railroad also spent $457,000 with local vendors who provided products and services for the railroad. The railroad has an annual budget of $2.1 million, Gresham said. A good chunk of that money is spent in just a few areas.

For the current fiscal year, $315,000 was budgeted for track, locomotive and car maintenence. Fuel (coal and diesel) and oil costs were $210,200, and insurance cost $199,270, according to Gresham.

"A lot of our cars still need work ... we're trying to catch up," Gresham said. Rebuilding one car recently cost $90,000, he said.

To help make some of his ideas happen, Gresham asked for a $15,000 increase in county funding, for a total request of $155,000. Gresham presented the railroad's budget request to Allegany County commissioners last week at budget hearings at county offices on Kelly Road.

Matthew Bieniek can be contacted at [email protected].

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