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The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is a heritage railroad based in Cumberland, Maryland. It operates over ex-Western Maryland Railway trackage to Frostburg, Maryland and back using both steam and diesel locomotives.
The WMSR operates passenger excursion trains out of the former Western Maryland station in Cumberland, which also houses one of the six visitor centers of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park as well as other attractions and offices. This station was built in 1913.
The line, which for the most part follows an abandoned Western Maryland Railroad line, proceeds northwest through "the Narrows", a deep gorge formed by the passage of Wills Creek between Haystack Mountain and Wills Mountain The train then proceeds up the Allegheny Front through a water gap formed by Jennings Run, past Mt. Savage and terminates at the former Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad depot in Frostburg, which now houses a restaurant. The train lays over here to allow visiting the town, and the locomotive is turned on a turntable before the train returns to Cumberland.
Intermediate sights on the line include: Helmstetter’s Curve in Cash Valley,
Brush Tunnel,
Woodcock Hollow, site of a hairpin curve
Normal power for the train is ex-Lake Superior and Ishpeming #734, a 1916 Baldwin-built 2-8-0 painted in WM "fireball" livery. The locomotive came to the line from the Illinois Railroad Museum, which sold it to the WMSR in 1991. After an extensive rebuild the WMSR crew put it into service in 1992; it has received several modifications over the years to give it more of a WM appearance. In addition the WMSR has two ex-Conrail GP30s (501 being former PRR, 502 being former Reading) which are used as helpers for the steam locomotive and as power for short excursions run for special events.
In addition to coach and first class service, it is possible to reserve caboose and cab rides. The railroad also runs murder mystery excursions and special seasonal trips.
The Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland, part of the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail from Cumberland, Md. to Pittsburgh, Pa., runs along the route of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Cyclists can put their bikes on board (call ahead to make bicycle reservations) for the climb up the mountain to Frostburg. |
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