Hagerstown council rejects donation of Steam Locomotive No. 202 after weeks of public appeals to keep it

On Aug. 26, 2025, the Hagerstown mayor and city council declined to approve a resolution to donate Steam Locomotive No. 202 to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corporation (WMSR). The donation measure would have conveyed the locomotive “as is” to WMSR, contingent on WMSR restoring the engine to meet or surpass Federal Railroad Administration standards (49 CFR part 230) within 10 years or else return it to the city.

The issue drew sustained public comment at the meeting. Dozens of speakers and more than 100 signed postcards urged the council to keep the locomotive in City Park, calling the engine a long-standing local landmark and a resource for children. Several speakers asked the council to delay or reverse the proposed transfer and to put the matter to a referendum.

Why it mattered: Locomotive No. 202 has been displayed in City Park since 1953 and is referenced in local preservation materials. Supporters said the engine provides low-cost, intergenerational access to local history and helps heritage tourism; opponents of the donation argued the city should keep control of the artifact rather than permanently transferring ownership.

Motion details and contingency: The donation resolution would have transferred the locomotive in “as-is” condition to WMSR, with a provision that WMSR renovate and repair the locomotive to the applicable FRA standard no later than 10 years from the effective date; if WMSR failed to comply, the city would have the right to demand return of the locomotive. The motion text explicitly cited 49 CFR part 230 as the regulatory standard WMSR must meet for operation.

Public comments: Longtime resident Lou Scully, who described himself as a local radio/TV personality, said, “I am in favor of keeping locomotive 2 0 2 in the city of Hagerstown,” and urged a referendum so citizens could decide. Sam Cuthbert, who said he taught locally for decades, told the council, “Locomotive 202 belongs to the children of Hagerstown.” Emily Conrad, a former Parks and Recreation employee who worked on the site’s recent improvements, warned that a $1 sale would not cover removal costs: “If you sell 2 0 2 to another community for $1, that does not even cover the cost of removing the signage that celebrates its history here.”

Council discussion: Councilman Alshar said documentary review left questions about the city’s legal ownership and described the city’s historic role as caretaker: “we're the caretakers of a piece of property, rather than the root owner.” Alshar also said he had voted against transferring the engine to another party. The council debate included questions about long-term stewardship, nonprofit capacity to maintain the engine, and how a transfer would affect City Park interpretive displays and heritage tourism.

Outcome: The donation resolution did not pass. The motion was moved and seconded at the Aug. 26 meeting, and although several council members voted in favor when polled, the motion ultimately failed on the council floor. The record in the meeting transcript does not list an individual roll-call tally by name; the council’s stated outcome was that the resolution did not carry.

Community response and next steps: Meeting staff announced that the city had received 106 signed postcards and a list of emailed supporters. Some speakers asked the council to pursue alternatives, including nonprofit-led fundraising or a city-supported preservation plan. Council members noted interest in continued public engagement and in clarifying the city’s legal interest in the locomotive before any future transfer.

Ending: The locomotive discussion dominated public comment at the Aug. 26 meeting; council members said they expect further communication with citizen groups and staff before any new proposal is brought back to the council for formal consideration.