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WM Fast Freight Pack

-----===== HISTORY =====-----

The Western Maryland Railway was one of the more compact Class 1s of the steam era, with their 1941 slogan proclaiming themselves as the 'Fast Freight Line'. Like most other Appalachian roads, they carried heavy coal loads over steep grades, and as such, needed powerful locomotives to get the job done. This led to some very impressive machines, the likes of which were rarely equaled by other railroads.

While the road was known for freight, they also had passenger trains pulled by very light 4-6-2 'Pacific' locomotives of the K-1 and K-2 class. the K-2s were built in 1912, coinciding with the Connelsville extension's construction, and pulled the railroad's premier passenger trains, until they were discontinued in 1917. However, the K-2s remained in service, on coach class passenger trains, sometimes only 2 cars long.

Of the wheel arrangements on the WM, the most ubiquitous was the 2-8-0 'Consolidations', broadly categorized as the H classes. The most modern of these locomotives were the H-9s, all 50 built in 1921 by Baldwin. Sporting a large boiler, and increased driver diameter than most 2-8-0s typically do, they were highly suitable for drag freights over the WM's mountainous tracks, and were highly successful locomotives, so much so that they inspired the Reading Railroad's own heavy duty Connies, the I-10sa class.

Despite their capabilities, more was needed of the railroad by the mid 20s, and the H-9s would once again prove their adaptability, with a new class of locomotive. Design crews from the WM and Baldwin expanded the H-9 design from a 2-8-0 into a 2-10-0 'Decapod' type, maintaining the 61 inch driver diameter and increasing the size of other key components. The result was the I-2 class, one of the heaviest and strongest decapods ever built. Despite their impressive stats, their running gear were not properly balanced at first, resulting in any wheelslip being devastating for the track, as well as difficulties in running the locomotives over 40mph. Nevertheless, they ruled over the WM's system, being the largest mainline locomotives they would own until 1940.

By this time, east coast ports and harbors were overflowing with shipments to Europe, and the WM was once more in need of a new locomotive class to handle the traffic. While the H-9s and I-2s were built at a time when other roads were ordering 2-8-2 Mikados, 2-10-2 Santa Fes and even 2-8-4 Berkshires, the railroad opted to order a more up to date batch of locomotives from Baldwin; The M-2 'Challengers'.
This articulated 4-6-6-4 design was quite a departure from tradition for the WM, and crew opinions reflected this fact. They were assigned to western lines due to the sharp curves in the eastern regions of the system limiting the capabilities of the large wheelbase, and some crews expressing problems with rough riding and wheelslip. Though a divisive class, they would persist through to the end, both in highballing mainline freights and helper service throughout the network.

Their final steam locomotives came in the form of a 4-8-4 type. Taking inspirations from the Reading's own T-1 class, The WM's J-1s were the last new type of 4-8-4 locomotives built in the United States. While most railroads called them 'Northerns', the name didn't sit right with the southernly Western Maryland, dubbing their new locomotives 'Potomacs', after one of the rivers in the railroad's area. Modern appliances and roller bearings throughout made for an efficient locomotive, leaving their mark on the crews that operated them despite their short time in service.

By the early 50s, steam was on the way out. Starting in 1952 with the K-2s and M-2s, the WM's steam fleet would rapidly be retired and scrapped. By 1954, the J-1s were in storage, awaiting equipment trusts to expire. In 1957, the last remnants of the Western Maryland's fleet was gone, with the exception of Shay #6, and K-2 pacific #202.

-----===== MOD CONTENTS =====-----
WM K-2 Pacific locomotive and tender (White Lining, Black lining with Red top, Black lining with Black top)

WM H-9 Consolidation locomotive and tender (White Lining, Fast Freight with Red top, Fast Freight with Black top)
WM I-2 Decapod locomotive and tender (WL, FFR, FFB)

WM M-2 Challenger locomotive and tender (WL, BLR, BLB) Shift+1 on locomotive for extra spec
WM J-1 Potomac locomotive and tender (WL, BLR, BLB)

-----===== ADDITIONAL INFORMATION =====-----
All items have livery support. Feel free to make liveries with these mods, however, please do provide a link to the original mod, and don't just reupload them without making modifications or claim them as your own.

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Hey there, sorry for the wait! Took a bit of a break from Rolling Line to work on some other hobbies, but I'm ready to return and the next project (which is not the Hiawatha part 2 [sorry]) is already underway.
The WM is one of my favorite railroads and this pack is probably one of my most diverse in a long while, with 2 of my most beloved wheel arrangements and 2 I have never made before, so this feels like a huge personal achievement as well. The next project shouldn't take too long, and if all goes well, it'll be up before next month. Cya soon!