CSX Transportation Historical Society

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Western Maryland Scenic Ry - 10-07 and 10-08-2023

Rail Fan Adventure --

From my visit in Clarksburg, I proceeded over to Cumberland to see the former C&O 2-6-6-2 Mallet in action on the daily Frostburg Flyer. The drive east across I-68 is very scenic. I headed to the iconic location of “Helmstetter’s Curve.”

1. You’re not going to get the classic shot on the lower right now because of trees and “No Trespassing” signs. I had plenty of time; the train departed at 11:30, so I decided to walk up the grade the mile or so to Brush Tunnel. WMSR. Helmstetter's Curve marker.
You’re not going to get the classic shot on the lower right now because of trees and “No Trespassing” signs. I had plenty of time; the train departed at 11:30, so I decided to walk up the grade the mile or so to Brush Tunnel. WMSR. Helmstetter's Curve marker.

2. The former double track roadbed is now shared by a walking and biking path. Even on this beautiful fall morning I was surprised at how many people were using it. This is the east portal. WMSR. Brush Tunnel. East portal.
The former double track roadbed is now shared by a walking and biking path. Even on this beautiful fall morning I was surprised at how many people were using it. This is the east portal. WMSR. Brush Tunnel. East portal.

3. WMSR. Brush Tunnel plaque.
WMSR. Brush Tunnel plaque.

4. WMSR. Brush Tunnel. East portal.
WMSR. Brush Tunnel. East portal.

5. Looking west toward Frostburg. WMSR. Brush Tunnel. West portal.
Looking west toward Frostburg. WMSR. Brush Tunnel. West portal.

6. A couple of other railfans joined me at the west portal which is roughly MP 6. We eagerly awaited the shrill whistle of a steam locomotive blowing for the Cash Valley Road crossing. WMSR. Brush Tunnel. West portal.
A couple of other railfans joined me at the west portal which is roughly MP 6. We eagerly awaited the shrill whistle of a steam locomotive blowing for the Cash Valley Road crossing. WMSR. Brush Tunnel. West portal.

7. Instead we heard an air horn! I like black B32-8s as much as the next fan, but this was a huge disappointment...to say the least! The Mallet had powered the Thursday and Friday trips. WMSR 558. Brush Tunnel.
Instead we heard an air horn! I like black B32-8s as much as the next fan, but this was a huge disappointment...to say the least! The Mallet had powered the Thursday and Friday trips. WMSR 558. Brush Tunnel.

8. WMSR 501. Brush Tunnel. 12:10 PM.
WMSR 501. Brush Tunnel. 12:10 PM.

You see I was set up to “Ride with the Engineer” on the Sunday Frostburg Flyer. I drove back downtown to the station to check on the substitution. Evidently there was a mechanical problem with the H-6, and it wasn’t known then if repairs would be finished in time for Sunday. I breathed a sigh of relief when she told me my money would be refunded if my dream ride didn’t come about.

9. Back out in the Cash Valley I strolled about checking out the photo possibilities. WMSR. Helmstetter's Curve marker.
Back out in the Cash Valley I strolled about checking out the photo possibilities. WMSR. Helmstetter's Curve marker.

10. In the distance can be seen the former quarry along the B&O main line where the Cash Valley meets Wills Creek. You can see that the elevation is steadily gaining. WMSR. Helmstetter's Curve view.
In the distance can be seen the former quarry along the B&O main line where the Cash Valley meets Wills Creek. You can see that the elevation is steadily gaining. WMSR. Helmstetter's Curve view.

11. WMSR 501. Helmstetter's Curve.
WMSR 501. Helmstetter's Curve.

12. The Flyer departed Frostburg at 2:30 and is due to arrive Cumberland at 3:45. WMSR 501. Helmstetter's Curve.
The Flyer departed Frostburg at 2:30 and is due to arrive Cumberland at 3:45. WMSR 501. Helmstetter's Curve.

13. After the Flyer passed at 3:18 I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Mt. Savage and Georges Creek. More on that later. WMSR 558. Helmstetter's Curve.
After the Flyer passed at 3:18 I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Mt. Savage and Georges Creek. More on that later. WMSR 558. Helmstetter's Curve.

14. WMSR travel guide. Page 1.
WMSR travel guide. Page 1.

15. WMSR travel guide. Page 2.
WMSR travel guide. Page 2.

16. WMSR travel guide. Map. Page 3. Click here for a larger image.
WMSR travel guide. Map. Page 3.

17. WMSR travel guide. Map. Page 4. Click here for a larger image.
WMSR travel guide. Map.

18. WMSR travel guide. Page 5.
WMSR travel guide. Page 5.

19. WMSR travel guide. Page 6.
WMSR travel guide. Page 6.

20. On Sunday morning, 10-08-2023, I headed down to Ridgeley hoping to see the 1309 at the head of the Flyer. Smoke from the Mallet can be seen at the shop, but the train crew revealed that diesels would again handle the train. The shop force wasn’t able to make the repairs. I think it was a steam leak. WMSR 558. Ridgley WV.
On Sunday morning, 10-08-2023, I headed down to Ridgeley hoping to see the 1309 at the head of the Flyer. Smoke from the Mallet can be seen at the shop, but the train crew revealed that diesels would again handle the train. The shop force wasn’t able to make the repairs. I think it was a steam leak. WMSR 558. Ridgley WV.

21. WMSR 558. Ridgley WV.
WMSR 558. Ridgley WV.

22. WMSR 558 is ex-NS GE B32-8 3558. We would flock to a short line that had such a good looking and rare example of motive power, but that thought didn’t brighten my disappointment. WMSR 558. Ridgley WV.
WMSR 558 is ex-NS GE B32-8 3558. We would flock to a short line that had such a good looking and rare example of motive power, but that thought didn’t brighten my disappointment. WMSR 558. Ridgley WV.

23. Crossing US 40 near old GC Jct. WMSR 558. GC Jct.
Crossing US 40 near old GC Jct. WMSR 558. GC Jct.

24. WMSR 501. GC Jct.
WMSR 501. GC Jct.

25. That parking lot isn’t full of railfans; it is bikers and walkers. WMSR 558. Helmstetter's Curve.
That parking lot isn’t full of railfans; it is bikers and walkers. WMSR 558. Helmstetter's Curve.

26. WMSR 558. Helmstetter's Curve.
WMSR 558. Helmstetter's Curve.

27. WMSR 501. Helmstetter's Curve.
WMSR 501. Helmstetter's Curve.

28. Parkersburg Rd. bridge at Morantown MD. WMSR 558.
Parkersburg Rd. bridge at Morantown MD. WMSR 558.

29. Diesel fumes are not as sweet as coal smoke! WMSR 558. Morantown MD. Parkersburg Rd.
Diesel fumes are not as sweet as coal smoke! WMSR 558. Morantown MD. Parkersburg Rd.

30. The Flyer will divert from the former Western Maryland to the old Cumberland & Pennsylvania for the final mile or so into Frostburg for a 12.45 arrival. The riders will have an hour and 45 minutes to eat, etc. before the return trip. The turntable is out of service, so locomotives can’t be turned at present. WMSR 501. Morantown MD. Parkersburg Rd.
The Flyer will divert from the former Western Maryland to the old Cumberland & Pennsylvania for the final mile or so into Frostburg for a 12.45 arrival. The riders will have an hour and 45 minutes to eat, etc. before the return trip. The turntable is out of service, so locomotives can’t be turned at present. WMSR 501. Morantown MD. Parkersburg Rd.

31. WMSR brochure. Page1.
WMSR brochure. Page1.

32. WMSR has acquired the inactive Georges Creek line (ex-CSX, exx-WM nee-C&Pa) from Frostburg down to Westernport and plans to operate trains in the near future. WMSR brochure page 2.
WMSR has acquired the inactive Georges Creek line (ex-CSX, exx-WM nee-C&Pa) from Frostburg down to Westernport and plans to operate trains in the near future. WMSR brochure page 2.

All for now.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young