Residents press council to keep historic locomotive 202 in City Park

Residents and advocates told the Mayor and City Council on July 22 they want Locomotive 202 to remain in Hagerstown's City Park rather than be moved to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Cumberland.

Riela Sharon Nao, a local business owner who said she co‑owns J and S Trains, read language she said appears on the locomotive display that dedicates the engine "to the children of Hagerstown" and reminded the council that the locomotive served the city for decades. Pamela Shaw — whose letter was read into the record — said the engine was donated to "the children of Hagerstown" and noted that restoration work was performed by the late John Long, who established a local foundation to renovate the locomotive.

Richard Brooch, another longtime community member, thanked council members who had flagged a financial provision in a proposed agreement and said the apparent plan to move the locomotive would primarily benefit Cumberland and neighboring communities rather than Hagerstown. Jim McGarity, a retired railworker and local business owner, said he and other local business leaders are prepared to help raise funds to restore or protect the locomotive if the council will keep it in the city. Several speakers emphasized that the locomotive was a gift intended to remain in Hagerstown.

Speakers asked the council to "figure a path forward" to keep the engine in City Park and to use existing grants and local fundraising to protect the locomotive and build a structure if necessary. The public comments concluded with repeated appeals — both in-person and via a submitted letter — that the engine remain in Hagerstown.

Ending

The council did not take a formal vote on the locomotive during the July 22 session; multiple residents urged the council to protect the artifact and pursue a local plan for restoration and sheltering.