Gunnoe Media, WMSR partner on Georges Creek rehab
CUMBERLAND, MD. – Gunnoe Media Group (GMG) is collaborating with the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) to raise funds, coordinate special access, and host the first-ever organized photo freight event on the Georges Creek Railway.
The WMSR has signed a lease with Georges Creek owners Eighteen Thirty Group, LLC to acquire and operate the dormant railroad line and its two EMD GP9s in southwestern Allegany County. The freight and switching railroad ceased operation in 2019 when the Verso paper mill in Luke, MD closed. As part of the acquisition, the WMSR will rehabilitate the right-of-way with plans to pursue passenger and potential freight opportunities. It will be branded as WMSR’s Georges Creek Division.
GMG and the WMSR will work together through a fundraising effort in which GMG will sell a packaged ticket to photographers that allows them unique access to document the rail line’s rebuilding on select dates provided by the WMSR, join the railroad for a special outing in which photographers will document some of the first photos of a passenger train on Georges Creek, and participation in the first-ever organized photo freight event on Georges Creek. GMG will organize the various events in close coordination with WMSR. Additional details and event dates will be communicated to customers via email. Track work is currently scheduled to begin in February.
As part of the partnership announcement, tickets will be sold at a special rate of $345.00 per person and are available for purchase here. Only 30 tickets will be sold at this price, with a full rate of $395.00 per person once the initial 30 tickets are sold. All events will be limited to 75 photographers.
“I recently re-started my rail charter business with my mailing list of loyal supporters after a decade-long hiatus. I am passionate about railroad investment and photography and I cannot think of a better project that combines these interests,” says Chase Gunnoe, who manages GMG. “We will develop a unique first-ever event for like-minded railroad fans to enjoy, all while generating money over the next few months that directly supports the WMSR’s efforts to repair this historic rail line,” he adds.
“We look forward to diversifying the WMSR by renovating and enhancing the Georges Creek Division. Our organization seeks to offer unique experiences through these potential additional services. Funds raised from this partnership will assist in achieving this goal, while providing photographers an opportunity to experience this journey with us,” says Wesley Heinz, executive director of WMSR.
“GMG will take direction from and work closely with the WMSR on this project and we look forward to documenting Georges Creek and hosting these events when the rail line is prepared and ready for service,” adds Gunnoe.
The WMSR’s news release on the lease acquisition is available here.