Rail Line Description
The track, which for the most part follows a former Western Maryland Railway line, proceeds northwest from Cumberland through "the Narrows", a deep water gap formed by the passage of Wills Creek between Haystack Mountain and Wills Mountain, parts of the Wills Mountain Anticline geological structure. The train then proceeds up the Allegheny Front through a water gap formed by Jennings Run, passes Mt. Savage, and terminates at the former Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad depot in Frostburg. The train lays over there for about 90 minutes to allow passengers to visit the town, and the locomotive is turned back there on a turntable that originally served the Western Maryland in Elkins, West Virginia. The train then returns to Cumberland by the same route.
Intermediate sights on the line include:
- Helmstetter’s Curve in Cash Valley 39°40′43″N 78°48′25″W / 39.678573°N 78.807077°W / 39.678573; -78.807077 (Helmstetter's Curve)
- Brush Tunnel 39°41′24″N 78°48′50″W / 39.69°N 78.81389°W / 39.69; -78.81389 (Brush Tunnel)
- Woodcock Hollow, site of a hairpin curve 39°41′00″N 78°51′26″W / 39.683395°N 78.857117°W / 39.683395; -78.857117 (Woodcock Hollow)
The Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland, part of the Great Allegheny Passage bicycle trail from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, runs along the route of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Cyclists can make reservations with the railroad to put their bikes on board for the climb up the mountain to Frostburg, then cycle back down to Cumberland.
Read more about this topic: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
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