Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Celebrates 25 Years with Three Steam Engines
In 2013, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad celebrated its 25th year of operation on their scenic railroad in the Alleghany Mountains. This 16-mile railroad operates on the former Western Maryland Railway right-of-way between Cumberland and Frostburg. This is a steep line, with grades ranging from 1.5% to 2.8% on the approach to Frostburg. This is probably one of the toughest segments for a standard gauge tourist railroad to regularly use.
This line has seen a variety of locomotives since 1988, but the most recognized engine has been 2-8-0 734. This 1916 Baldwin-built Consolidation, originally Lake Superior & Ishpeming 34, was restored in 1992 as Western Maryland 734. This engine made a close stand in to the many H class Consolidations operated on the WMRY. The 734 often ran with two GP30s on trains of up to 15-cars long.
To mark the 25th anniversary, two more steam engines were trucked in to operate short trips to the Ridgely shops or the Narrows. These engines were Viscose #6 (owned by Scott Symans of New York) and Flagg Coal Co. 75 (owned by the Gramlings of Indiana). These tank engines put on a good show, but it still paled in comparison to 734 on the trips to Frostburg.
A lot has changed in only five years since. Just three years later, the 734 would be taken out of service for an indefinite future. Both GP30s are in need of repairs, and even the coaches look drastically different today. This video inadvertently served as a last look at the WMSR's most recognized appearance, when 734 and the GP30s simultaneously powered a large string of red and silver coaches up the Alleghany Mountains. While operations still are going with an F40 and eventually a C&O Mallet, it won't be quite the same again.
To ride behind the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, check out
Follow us at
A Glimpse of Downtown Cumberland Md - A Western Maryland City
Cumberland is a city in and the county seat of Allegany County, Maryland, United States. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 20,859, and the metropolitan area had a population of 103,299. Cumberland is a regional business and commercial center for Western Maryland and the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia. It also has a rich history.
Historically Cumberland was known as the Queen City, as it was once the second largest city in the state. Because of its strategic location on what became known as the Cumberland Road through the Appalachians, after the American Revolution it served as a historical outfitting and staging point for westward emigrant trail migrations throughout the first half of the 1800s. In this role, it supported the settlement of the Ohio Country and the lands in that latitude of the Louisiana Purchase. It also became an industrial center, served by major roads, a canal connecting to Washington, DC, and railroads. Industry declined after World War II. Much of the later urban, business and technological development in the state has been concentrated in eastern coastal cities. Today the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area is one of the poorest in the United States, ranking 305th out of 318 metropolitan areas in per capita income.
This video focuses on some of Cumberland's notable landmarks including the Allegany Courthouse, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, downtown mall, the Mason Lodge #131, and railroad station. The clip ends with views of the Cumberland Narrows.
Cumberland Railroad station (Western Maryland Railway Station) is a historic railway station in Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland. It was built in 1913 as a stop for the Western Maryland Railway (WM). The building was operated as a passenger station until the WM ended service in 1959, and it continued to be used by the railway until 1976. It was subsequently restored and currently serves as a museum and offices, as well as the operating base for a heritage railway.
The Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Cumberland, Maryland in Cumberland's Historic District is built on the foundations of Fort Cumberland, where George Washington began his military career; earthworks from the fort (built in 1755) still lie beneath the church. Although the Emmanuel parish dates from 1803, the cornerstone of the current native sandstone building was laid in 1849 and completed in 1851. The church contains original Tiffany stained-glass windows from three different periods and a scale model of Fort Cumberland. The grounds are part of the Fort Cumberland Walking Trail, signposted with plaques and detailed in a leaflet available from the visitor center.
The Cumberland Narrows (or simply The Narrows) is a water gap in western Maryland in the United States, just west of Cumberland. Wills Creek cuts through the central ridge of the Wills Mountain Anticline at a low elevation here between Wills Mountain to the north and Haystack Mountain to the south. Cliffs and talus of the two mountains' Tuscarora quartzite caprock are prominent within the Narrows. A prominent rocky outcropping at the south end of Wills Mountain in the Cumberland Narrows is known as Lover's Leap.
The Cumberland Town Center is located in a river valley in “Mountain Maryland” – the Appalachians in Allegany County – Cumberland is an historic town (27 listings in the National Register of Historic Places) that has evolved into a vibrant arts community.
Cumberland’s Town Centre is comprised of a three-block pedestrian mall with adjacent side streets and offers fine dining, unique shops, stylish living and blossoming artist colony, all housed in significant turn-of-the-century architecture.
Canal Place Heritage Area, at the western end of the C&O Canal, showcases the heritage of this former railroad hub. It also features an enticing mix of retail, galleries and recreation. Boat rides on the canal and excursions aboard an old-time train powered by a steam locomotive are available from Canal Place.
The “Trestle Walk” at Canal Place connects the restored Western Maryland Railway Station – home of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the Allegany County Visitor Center – with the C&O Canal Tow Path, where you can begin an invigorating hike or bike ride.
390052Stateside: The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Yes, 390052Knight is on Holiday in the United States. A preserved line between Cumberland and Frostburg, MD, is the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, running a 2-8-0 Baldwin Locomotive of typical American design. Small wheels, cow catcher, bell, low pitch whistle etc. It's a pleasant 16 mile journey with narration over the tanoy along the route.
DJI Inspire 1 Drone Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Mountain Thunder Steam Train Cumberland Md 4k
Flying above Western Maryland's 734 the Mountain Thunder! The star of the Western Maryland's Scenic Railroad in Cumberland, Maryland.
The WMSR goes from the Queen City Cumberland, Maryland ascending 1,300 feet to the Mountain City of Frostburg, Maryland!
The Inspire's camera does not record sound, the train whistle you hear was added in.
No responsible pilot/operator would ever fly over a busy highway or Interstate.
Watch in 4k !
Transportation by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (
Artist:
Autumn Glory in Western Maryland
Autumn 2016 in glorious Western Maryland (Garrett and Allegany Counties). Videos shot with DJI Inspire 1 Pro, stills with Canon EOS 5D Mark iii and DJI Inspire 1 Pro. Royalty free music provided by audiojungle.
WMSR Polar Express Christmas Train 2019
Coming down the mountain and into the Cumberland station on 12/8/19 with a beautiful K5H horn. This was a week before Western Maryland 450 was painted into the Polar Express scheme, and shows the new crossing signals in operation. The nicely painted Western Maryland 501 was holding up the rear of this return trip from Frostburg. Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas! :)
Western Maryland 2-8-0 # 734
Western Maryland 2-8-0 # 734 runs around Helmstetters curve. In cash valley Md.
A Place In The Mountains | Cumberland, Maryland
Chris & Amanda traveled to their hometown of Cumberland, Maryland last month and decided to film some drone footage while they were away.
Cumberland, MD is located in Western Maryland and is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains.
This film was made with the DJI Mavic Pro.
Enjoy!
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad October 2018: F40 #450
RAW FOOTAGE: Saturday, October 20th, 2018... Motive power for this sold-out fall foliage trip is newly acquired F40PHR #450. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Executive Director, John Garner, made the decision in September to arrange a deal with Larry's Truck and Electric (LTEX Rail) of McDonald, Ohio on this 3,000 horsepower beast! GP30 #501 is currently out of service with major mechanical issues, and awaiting extensive repairs. Twin sister GP30 #502 is still on hand, now assisted by this gorgeous-looking F40 up the WMSR's unforgiving 2.8% ruling grades and sharp curvature. At a couple points in this video, we will take a quick look back at some much older footage from a previous year on this exact same excursion, on the exact same day (A calendar date of October 20th which falls on a Saturday). For the most part, you will enjoy unobstructed views of the beautiful countryside along this twisting, climbing route from the open vestibules (also known as dutch doors) of WMSR's coaches.
Due to an excessive amount of rainfall in Allegany County (and numerous other areas of the State) throughout early October, the brilliant autumn colors we are used to seeing at this time in late October were not present on the trees. This was quite a disappointment to many who were hoping for a display of fall foliage that replicated previous years along the route. HOWEVER, the excursion from Cumberland up to Frostburg is ALWAYS an exciting one. We hope you enjoy this presentation.
*NOTE*: Raw footage REALLY MEANS raw footage... Do not be surprised by excessive shaking and out of focus shots at times. Only so much steadiness can be attained on a moving train.
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (Fall/Autumn)
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad during the fall.
WINTERLAND ON THE WESTERN MARYLAND
Snow is always possible, but not promised. Fingers crossed and good vibes to Mother Nature!
Cumberland Narrows
East Rail Productions
The Cumberland Narrows is a water gap in western Maryland in the United States, northwest of Cumberland. Wills Creek cuts through the central ridge of the Wills Mountain Anticline at a low elevation here between Wills Mountain to the north and Haystack Mountain to the south. The National Highway, the CSX Railroad's Keystone Subdivision, Wills Creek, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, and the Great Allegheny Passage all pass through this narrow valley. I took this video while bicycling and driving thru the Narrows.
Bright Wish, Heartwarming, Luminous Rain, Midday Dance
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Western Maryland 729: Pusher Service
In our third and final video featuring Western Maryland #734 renumbered as #729, we will witness the big 2-8-0 in a different kind of role. This time, we will see the engine in pusher service. Instead of being on the front of the train, #729 will be simulating a helper engine for photographers.
The train will be led by Western Maryland Scenic Railroad's GP30 #502. #502 was built for the Reading as #3607, and later went to Conrail as their #2175. The Western Maryland never owned any GP30 locomotives. An interesting feature on the #502 is the split-manifold Leslie S3L horn. You may notice that two of the trumpets are mounted above the engineer's window, while only one trumpet is mounted about the fireman's window. As far as we know, this is one of the few locomotives in the US that operates on a regular basis with this type of air horn configuration.
Back to #729, we will see the engine assisting the train at various locations along the old Western Maryland line up to Frostburg. We'll even hop in the cab for a ride from the No. 2 Bridge up the steepest part of the grade going into Frostburg.
After our train takes the passing track in Frostburg, we'll catch the WMSR's regular excursion train leaving to head back to Cumberland with GP30 #501 in the lead. #501 was built for the Penn Central as #2249, and later became Conrail #2249.
Sit back an enjoy this variety of steam and diesel action on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad during the peak of the fall season.
Western Maryland Rail Trail
WindersRanger Tee shirts
WindersRanger stickers
A bike ride on the Western Maryland Rail Trail and C&O Canal between Big Pool and Little Pool Md. The Rail Trail runs from Big Pool to Sideling Hill Creek a distance of about 20 miles. The Canal is 184.5 miles long and runs from Georgetwon MD to Cumberland Md. Little Pool is just a little west of mile post 120 as its measured from Georgetown.
Both trails are great rides and mostly level. The rail trail is paved and the grades up or down hill will never be more than about 4% because it used to be a railroad bed. The canal also is mostly level with short climbs at each lock of only a few feet each time. The canal is a dirt or gravel path for the entire length from Georgetown to Cumberland and can get a little muddy after a rain in some places. However, the wildlife view on the canal can be more frequent due to its proximity from road traffic.
Wmsr 450
Today was a beautiful day I went on the bike trail and caught wmsr 450 heading to Frostburg Maryland
Railfanning on the Western Maryland Senic Railroad 12/3/16
It's my second day in Cumberland and I did some railfanning of the trains coming in and out of the Cumberland canal station. Hope you enjoy!
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
I pay a visit to the WMSR in Cumberland Maryland. This one was a lot of fun...
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 734 Nearing The End
734s boiler time expires at the end of 2015, due to the number of operating days and will need a expensive rebuild.
Check out my new 2015 video, 734 Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
2004
Western Maryland scenic railroad November
We arrived just in time!