CUMBERLAND — The economy may still be down, and vacations not as frequent, but the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad isn’t too worried as it heads into a couple of its slower months.

“Right now our total expenditures is down 15 percent for the year,” said treasurer Mike Brant. “If we continue to keep our expenses down, we’ll have enough money in the bank to carry us through the winter; it’s a much prettier picture we’re looking at now than earlier this year.”

Board of Directors Chairman Ray Morriss said it looks like things are much better than what was anticipated in the spring.

“We have to remember that October and November are critical months for us, but it looks like we’re doing OK,” he said during the board’s monthly meeting Thursday.

Morriss said a rider survey and working to revamp the Web site will only help improve the railroad and hopefully continue to bring in more riders.

“I think the survey will really give us a good feel from our riders about what they expect from us,” he said.

Board member Jerri Dell said she is also interested in hearing rider feedback from those who have used the train to shuttle their bicycles, then bike back on the Great Allegheny Passage.

“I am concerned with the bike train and continuing to work on strengthening that link,” Dell said.

Dell said there had been discussion with the board about the possibility of some grant money that could help outfit one of the train cars to be more bicycle-friendly. However, further exploration into that opportunity was lost, and both Dell and Morriss expressed their disappointment.

“I think we need to be more active in backing up what we say, that the train does care about bicyclists and the trail,” Dell said. “If we want to make that link an engine of growth and a good opportunity, we need to show our support for the bicycling community.”

Dell said a good way to do that would be to have the railroad represented at the Oct. 17 Downtown Development Commission’s Bike Rack Design awards ceremony at Arteco Gallery, 60 Pershing St.

“I just think that having railroad board members at the awards ceremony will be a good way to show that we want to continue to move that link further,” she said.

Contact Tess Hill at thill@times-news.com.