Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is a tourist railroad based in Cumberland, Maryland. It operates over ex-Western Maryland Railway trackage to Frostburg, Maryland and back using both steam and diesel power.
The WMSR operates 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 continues 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. Western Maryland engine 734 is a former Lake Superior and Ispeming Railroad 2-8-0. Built in 1916 for freight service, the engine was retired and moved to the Illinois Railroad Museum, where it was purchased buy the WMSR is 1991. After an extensive rebuild the WMSR crew put it into service in 1992. The engine received several modifications of the years and now looks exactly like a Western Maryland 2-8-0. In addition to 734 the WMSR has two diesel locomotives on its roster used for passenger service. GP30 501 is and ex-Pennsylvania Railroad engine, which was used for freight service. GP30 502 is and ex-Reading Company engine, which was used for freight service. The WMSR uses both diesels regularly as power for diesel powerd trains and for helper service for 734. They also operate two ex-Conrail GP30s (One former PRR, the other 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.
See also
External links
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