Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
The Western Maryland Railroad came to Cumberland in 1906. The railroad built this route to compete with the C & O canal and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1973 the two railroads combined with the C & O to form the Chessie System.The Western Maryland line climbs over 1500 feet in the 16 miles between Cumberland and Frostburg. The route follows the national road through the Narrows before heading for the famous Helmstetter's curve.
The Western Maryland line was considered surplus when the three railroads merged in 1973. The line was used only on an as needed basis. In 1991 the line was reborn as the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and began running excursions from Cumberland to Frostburg.. A 1916 baldwin 2-8-0 was bought, restored and cosmetically altered to look like a Western Maryland locomotive.
I was here in May 2004. I had heard this trip called mountain thunder and I know why now. It was really great to see that engine working hard upgrade all the way to Frostburg. The turntable was broken when I was there, so the engine backed all the way back to Cumberland, this may sound disappointing, but it really helped with the sun angles! I can't wait to make another trip here, but this time I plan on riding because I hear the ride is even more spectacular from aboard the train.
Click here to see Helmstetter's curve from above on Terraserver. Click here to see Frostburg station and turntable.
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad official web site