Local preservation group asks Hagerstown to commit to keeping and restoring Locomotive 202

Volunteers and members of a railroad heritage group presented to the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council on Aug. 12 seeking a formal commitment to keep Locomotive 202 in City Park and to support its restoration and preservation. Presenters asked the city either to retain ownership while the group serves as steward and partner, or to sell the locomotive to the group for a nominal fee so they can assume responsibility for restoration and maintenance.

Presenters and supporters (identifying themselves as the Hub City chapter and local volunteers) said they have begun fundraising outreach and have sponsors willing to contribute once the city indicates support. Hub City presenters said they have contacted restoration companies and that restoration contractors quoted roughly $275,000 for a cosmetic restoration of the locomotive (presenters characterized this as a figure they and contractors cited); they also said earlier bid processes produced substantially higher contractor responses and that previous restoration efforts occurred in 1983, 2003 and 2019.

The presenters requested a letter of consent from the city to allow their group to solicit formal restoration quotes and raise capital for a restoration project. They offered to perform hands-on maintenance work immediately and to expand educational programming at the locomotive site, including school and Boys & Girls Club visits already taking place.

Council discussion: Council members and the mayor raised the competing proposal under consideration to transfer the locomotive to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. The mayor said a draft contract with the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is under review and will be on the agenda for discussion at an upcoming regular session; if the council accepts that contract the city would proceed with transfer. The mayor also said he personally remains in favor of transferring the train to Western Maryland Scenic Railroad but that the council as a body must decide. Other council members said they value the volunteer group's educational work and noted community support for keeping the locomotive in Hagerstown. Several council members urged a decision soon because the city and Western Maryland have draft documents under legal review.

What this means now: The city will continue contract negotiations with Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and will place that contract on the next agenda for discussion; the Hub City chapter requested a letter of consent enabling them to solicit restoration estimates and fundraise, and the presenters said they are ready to begin hands-on maintenance if the city provides that authorization or transfers ownership.

Provenance: The Hub City chapter presentation and subsequent council discussion are recorded in the Aug. 12 meeting transcript.