CSX Transportation Historical Society

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CSX Georges Creek and Hampshire SDs - the old C&P

Rail Fan Adventure --

After my short visit to Mount Savage, I drove down Georges Creek to examine the state of the inactive Georges Creek Subdivision. CSX sold this branch line to a private individual several years ago after coal traffic had declined.

1. Looking south in Midland MD, at the former CSX Georges Creek SD, exx-Western Maryland, nee-Cumberland & Pennsylvania. Georges Creek Ry inactive eastward.
Looking south in Midland MD, at the former CSX Georges Creek SD, exx-Western Maryland, nee-Cumberland & Pennsylvania. Georges Creek Ry inactive eastward.

2. Even though CSX signage is still in place, this is for now the George Creek Ry. But trains may roll over this scenic line again! Western Maryland Scenic Ry. will operate it. This view looks north toward Frostburg. 10-07-2023. Georges Creek Ry Midland MD inactive westward.
Even though CSX signage is still in place, this is for now the George Creek Ry. But trains may roll over this scenic line again! Western Maryland Scenic Ry. will operate it. This view looks north toward Frostburg. 10-07-2023. Georges Creek Ry Midland MD inactive westward.

WMSR Acquires Georges Creek Division, WM GP9s — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.

3. Vintage C&P or WM crossing sign in Midland MD. 20.6 is the old mileage from Cumberland via Mount Savage. No wooden post to hold up this sign. An old rail was used! Georges Creek Ry Midland MD crossing.
Vintage C&P or WM crossing sign in Midland MD. 20.6 is the old mileage from Cumberland via Mount Savage. No wooden post to hold up this sign. An old rail was used! Georges Creek Ry Midland MD crossing.

4. End of the line on 10-05-2003 was United Energy Coal’s Phillips-Consol 10 tipple at Borden Shaft MD. CSX Georges Crk SD.
End of the line on 10-05-2003 was United Energy Coal’s Phillips-Consol 10 tipple at Borden Shaft MD. CSX Georges Crk SD.

5. USGS Frostburg quad 1908, 1:62,500 scale. The Georges Creek & Cumberland invaded the valley from Eckhart Mines and Vale Summit. This short line was absorbed into the WM also. Frostburg MD-WV-PA, 1:62,500 quad, 1908, USGS. Click this link for a larger image.
USGS Frostburg quad 1908, 1:62,500 scale. The Georges Creek & Cumberland invaded the valley from Eckhart Mines and Vale Summit. This short line was absorbed into the WM also. Frostburg MD-WV-PA, 1:62,500 quad, 1908, USGS.

6. USGS Lonaconing quad 1950, 1:24,000 scale, photo-revised 1981. The Phillips-Consol 10 tipple was beside MD 36. MD_Lonaconing_256548_1950_24000. Click this link for a larger image.
USGS Lonaconing quad 1950, 1:24,000 scale, photo-revised 1981. The Phillips-Consol 10 tipple was beside MD 36. MD_Lonaconing_256548_1950_24000.

7. WM Lonaconing Jct. 09-19-1980.
WM Lonaconing Jct. 09-19-1980.

8. WM Timetable #1 cover page. 03-25-1973.
WM Timetable #1 cover page. 03-25-1973.

9. WM Timetable #1. 03-25-1973. C&P, GC, & Carlos.
WM Timetable #1. 03-25-1973. C&P, GC, & Carlos.

10. WM Timetable #1. 03-25-1973. Map.
WM Timetable #1. 03-25-1973. Map.

11. Tri-Star Mining Clark #7 loading ramp, Morrisons MD. 10-05-2003. CSX Georges Crk SD.
Tri-Star Mining Clark #7 loading ramp, Morrisons MD. 10-05-2003. CSX Georges Crk SD.

12. CSX 2249-6425-6408-2208 have arrived in the early morning of 10-06-2003 on mine run B880, the Georges Creek Turn, out of Cumberland. B881, usually the Bayard Turn, will assist in this push-pull operation. Some of D. W. Clarks trucks stand ready when needed to move coal from the nearby strip mines. CSX Georges Crk SD.
CSX 2249-6425-6408-2208 have arrived in the early morning of 10-06-2003 on mine run B880, the Georges Creek Turn, out of Cumberland. B881, usually the Bayard Turn, will assist in this push-pull operation. Some of D. W. Clarks trucks stand ready when needed to move coal from the nearby strip mines. CSX Georges Crk SD.

13. CSX 2249-6425 cut of and head to the north end (railroad west) of the tubs. CSX Georges Crk SD.
CSX 2249-6425 cut of and head to the north end (railroad west) of the tubs. CSX Georges Crk SD.

14. CSX 2249-6425 ties on to the west end. Road Slug 2249 is ex-B&O GP30 6910 built 1962. GP40-2 mother unit 6425 is ex-C&O. CSX Georges Crk SD.
2249-6425 ties on to the west end. Road Slug 2249 is ex-B&O GP30 6910 built 1962. GP40-2 mother unit 6425 is ex-C&O. CSX Georges Crk SD.

15. Road slug 2208 (former B&O GP30 6959 built 1962) and GP40-2 6425 (also ex-B&O) remain stationary until needed. CSX Georges Crk SD.
Road slug 2208 (former B&O GP30 6959 built 1962) and GP40-2 6425 (also ex-B&O) remain stationary until needed. CSX Georges Crk SD.

16. USGS Barton quad 1947, 1:24,000 scale, photo-revised 1981. Franklin to Morrison mine siding. MD_Barton_256039_1947_24000. Click here for a larger image.
USGS Barton quad 1947, 1:24,000 scale, photo-revised 1981. Franklin to Morrison mine siding. MD_Barton_256039_1947_24000.

17. Scars on the hill are evidence of the surface mining that has been prevalent in this area for decades. CSX Georges Crk SD.
Scars on the hill are evidence of the surface mining that has been prevalent in this area for decades. CSX Georges Crk SD.

18. A dragline works at a surface mine above the village of Barton MD. CSX Georges Crk SD.
A dragline works at a surface mine above the village of Barton MD. CSX Georges Crk SD.

19. CSX Georges Crk SD. Somewhat closer view of dragline.
CSX Georges Crk SD. Somewhat closer view of dragline.

20. Three end-loaders work at a furious pace to load the 75-car train of steam coal, as 6408 waits patiently. CSX Georges Crk SD.
Three end-loaders work at a furious pace to load the 75-car train of steam coal, as 6408 waits patiently. CSX Georges Crk SD.

21. I can tell you that those CSX “tubs” are not that clean now. All are covered with graffiti. CSX Georges Crk SD.
I can tell you that those CSX “tubs” are not that clean now. All are covered with graffiti. CSX Georges Crk SD.

22. The loading is finished and B880/B881 start down the branch for Westernport past stored dozers and pans used in surface mining. CSX Georges Crk SD.
The loading is finished and B880/B881 start down the branch for Westernport past stored dozers and pans used in surface mining. CSX Georges Crk SD.

23. Franklin MD. CSX Georges Crk SD.
Franklin MD. CSX Georges Crk SD.

24. CSX Georges Crk SD.
CSX Georges Crk SD.

25. USGS Westernport quad 1996, 1:24,000 scale. Westernport, MD-WV, 1:24,000 quad, 1996, USGS. click here for a larger image.
USGS Westernport quad 1996, 1:24,000 scale. Westernport, MD-WV, 1:24,000 quad, 1996, USGS.

26. B880/B881 crosses MD 136 in Westernport and entering the Hampshire SD. CSX Georges Crk SD.
B880/B881 crosses MD 136 in Westernport and entering the Hampshire SD. CSX Georges Crk SD.

27. B880/B881 start west on the Hampshire SD (old main line to Elkins). CSX Georges Crk SD.
B880/B881 start west on the Hampshire SD (old main line to Elkins). CSX Georges Crk SD.

28. The Potomac River is on the left as well as the West Virginia state line and the CSX Mountain SD (B&O Cumberland West End). CSX Georges Crk SD.
The Potomac River is on the left as well as the West Virginia state line and the CSX Mountain SD (B&O Cumberland West End). CSX Georges Crk SD.

29. CSX Georges Crk SD.
CSX Georges Crk SD.

30. West Virginia Central Jct. CSX Georges Crk SD.
West Virginia Central Jct. CSX Georges Crk SD.

31. The Mead-Westvaco paper mill at Luke is in the background. We’re at West Virginia Central Jct. The Mountain SD is on the right out of view. This was the end of our day following this train, and I don’t know what they did after this. The coal could have gone to the Mount Storm power plant on the branch out of Bayard further west. It could have gone to Cumberland, however it would not have needed a reverse move in Westernport. The Hampshire SD connects with the Mountain at 21st Bridge, a short distance east of Keyser. CSX Georges Crk SD.
The Mead-Westvaco paper mill at Luke is in the background. We’re at West Virginia Central Jct. The Mountain SD is on the right out of view. This was the end of our day following this train, and I don’t know what they did after this. The coal could have gone to the Mount Storm power plant on the branch out of Bayard further west. It could have gone to Cumberland, however it would not have needed a reverse move in Westernport. The Hampshire SD connects with the Mountain at 21st Bridge, a short distance east of Keyser. CSX Georges Crk SD.

32. CCBU #3 Cover page. 05-01-1997.
CCBU #3 Cover page. 05-01-1997.

33. CCBU #3. 05-01-1997. Georges Creek SD.
CCBU #3. 05-01-1997. Georges Creek SD.

34. CCBU #3. 05-01-1997. Hampshire SD.
CCBU #3. 05-01-1997. Hampshire SD.

35. Portion of Thomas SD in WM emp. tt. #1 for 03-25-1973 showing connections with the B&O.
Portion of Thomas SD in WM emp. tt. #1 for 03-25-1973 showing connections with the B&O.

36. C&P 29 in Westernport MD. 1944.
C&P 29 in Westernport MD. 1944.

37. C&P depot across the Potomac River in Piedmont WV where they interchanged with the B&O. Westernport and Georges Creek are to the right. 1909.
C&P depot across the Potomac River in Piedmont WV where they interchanged with the B&O. Westernport and Georges Creek are to the right. 1909.

38. Missing a story or two, this is the old C&P depot in Piedmont WV on 07-31-2016.
Missing a story or two, this is the old C&P depot in Piedmont WV on 07-31-2016.

39. WM Elkins Timetable #7 cover. 09-28-1952.
WM Elkins Timetable #7 cover. 09-28-1952.

40. WM Elkins Timetable #7. 09-28-1952. C&P SD.
WM Elkins Timetable #7. 09-28-1952. C&P SD.

41. These were branches of the old Georges Creek & Cumberland that were isolated after much of its abandonment. WM Elkins Tiemtable #7. 09-28-1952. G.C. SD. Confusing, I know.
These were branches of the old Georges Creek & Cumberland that were isolated after much of its abandonment. WM Elkins Tiemtable #7. 09-28-1952. G.C. SD. Confusing, I know.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young