The western maryland s famed connellsville extension was the dream of owner george gould in forming a true, transcontinental railroad through the ownership of several small to mediumsized systems. He is a member of the western maryland railway historical society, the lionel collectors club of america lcca, train collectors association tca, the maryland historical society, and the western maryland scenic railroad foundation, as well as several other rail and history. Western maryland railway modern day photo tour accompanying each photo below are. Western maryland railway historical society union bridge. Railroads like western maryland railway that were started after 1900 will not have as. Media in category western maryland railway the following 48 files are in this category, out of 48 total. The western maryland railway historical society was founded in 1967 for the purpose of preserving a portion of americas rich railroad history.
Pdf history of western maryland download read online. The western maryland railway, cumberland extension is located at latitude 39. Mile the distance west from westport, maryland south baltimore ease difficulty level to reach the photographers location a easiest, f toughest area estimate. It then provides a brief chapter on marylands rail history and describes. In the 1990s the state of maryland included the station in the canal place preservation district and renovated the station. This book is a pictorial history looking back at the western maryland railway through black and white photos during its glory years of operations in the 1950s, to its final years of preconsolidation in the 1970s through color photography. It was primarily a coal hauling and freight railroad, with a small passenger train operation the wm became a property of the chessie system holding company in 1973, although it continued independent operations until may 1975 after.
Western maryland railroad rightofway, milepost 126. A line connecting the western maryland and west virginia central was completed other events that happened on or around 1906 there were 35 churches belonging to the african methodist episcopal denomination with 1,002 members in west virginia. Media in category western maryland railroad rightofway, milepost 126 to milepost 160 the following 18 files are in this category, out of 18 total. Currently, rosters are only available as downloadable. Western maryland railway company public group facebook. The railroad was built through rough, but gorgeous, topography operating a main line featuring numerous tunnels and bridges. Gap casselman river bridge harnedsville somerset county, pennsylvania. Western maryland railway historical society museum in union bridge, md. Shop for western maryland railroad art from the worlds greatest living artists. Oct 29, 2019 explore baldilocks47s board western maryland railroad.
Online magazine of railway history and preservation. This paper takes an indepth look at the history of the u. Western maryland railway bridge, spanning maryland route. It was primarily a coal hauling and freight railroad, with a small passenger train operation. Photo, print, drawing western maryland railway bridge, spanning maryland route 51 at spring gap, cumberland, allegany county, md enlarge view 12 images in sequence. The cumberland station contained the offices for the western division. View of western maryland railway station in cumberland, maryland, usa. He is a member of the western maryland railway historical society, the lionel. The voluntary relief department of western maryland railway company a voluntary organization providing accident, sick and death benefits and superannuation privileges for members 1919 14574460868.
It connected baltimore with connellsville and elkins. Cumberland area rr history western maryland chapter. Western maryland railroad collection pp72 maryland. The origins of the western maryland railway can be traced to may 27, 1852, when a charter was granted by the maryland assembly to the baltimore, carroll, and frederick rail road company. History of the western maryland railway 1852 the original main line began with the chartering of the baltimore, carroll and frederick railroad with the intent of building a rail line from baltimore west to washington county, maryland. Chartered on may 27, 1852 as the baltimore, carroll and frederick railroad, later in 1853 renamed the. In 1909, the western maryland railway company was organized, and one month later it purchased the old western maryland rail road companys property and equipment at a foreclosure sale. While aspects of the system were difficult to operate. Allegany county, maryland, from western maryland milepost 125 to 160. We do this by providing programs for community organizations, publishing educational materials drawn from our collection, supporting activities related to railroading, and by making historical records. The western maryland railway volumes 1, 2 and 3 csx. Nov 19, 2010 in 1909, the western maryland railway company was organized, and one month later it purchased the old western maryland rail road companys property and equipment at a foreclosure sale. This is a page dedicated to the memory of the western maryland railway.
A western maryland coal train climbing through beautiful black water canyon in west virginia, one of the steepest grades in the united states. The region is bounded by the masondixon line to the north, preston county, west virginia to the west, and the potomac river to the south, which at one point, at the city of cumberland the two boundaries are separated by 5. This tunnel, known as indigo tunnel, is 4,350 feet long and eliminates over a mile of track had the railroad continued to parallel the river. Mar 26, 2011 heres the western maryland ry in elkins a year after my first visit, and apparently, chessie is still pretty big here. Cumberland station is a historic railway station in cumberland, allegany county, maryland. A western maryland coal train climbing through beautiful. The voluntary relief department of western maryland railway. This book contains images from the history of this remarkable railroad and also. Western maryland railway historical society museum visit. Western maryland chapter national railway historical society.
The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from april until october. Pre1905 steam unit roster post1905 steam class roster post1905 steam unit roster. The voluntary relief department of western maryland railway company. Starting at point of rocks, maryland, the two forms of transportation run sidebyside for most of the 6 miles to cumberland. Western maryland scenic railroad heritage railway, rail train, railroad history. The extension ran from cumberland, maryland to connellsville, pennsylvania where it connected the wm with another gould subsidiary, the pittsburgh. The historical society fosters an appreciation of the past, with an emphasis on local history. Western maryland railway bridge, spanning maryland route 51. Heres the western maryland ry in elkins a year after my first visit, and apparently, chessie is still pretty big here. The indigo tunnel is the longest such tunnel on this route. The western maryland railway by anthony puzzilla arcadia. The western maryland railway started operations in 1909 and stopped service in 1989 for a total period of operations of 80 years. His thesis is a definitive study of the railroads early history. Smithsonian libraries, natural history building, 10 th st.
Click on the link to download a pdf of this track plan. Cumberland station western maryland railway wikipedia. All western maryland railroad artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30day moneyback guarantee. One of the few places where these two lines diverge is at high germany hill near fifteenmile creek. It was primarily a coal hauling and freight railroad, with a small passenger train operation the wm became a property of the chessie system holding company in 1973, although it continued independent operations until may 1975 after which. Buil 1911 for the western maryland railway, abandoned in the 1970s, converted for pedstrian use 2001 deck plate girder bridge over casselman river on great allegheny passage open to pedestrians only. Actor eddie deezen visits the polar expess train ride. The western maryland chapter of the national railway historical society is a nonprofit organization chartered in 1977 to promote the appreciation of rail transportation and its heritage. The western maryland railway reporting mark wm was an 835 mile class i railroad operating in maryland, west virginia, and pennsylvania from 1852 until 1983. The society is for the preservation of the history of the western maryland railway in particular and railroading in general. Crcr%20mapscr%20system%mapscr%20system%20map%20411976.
Annual reports of the western maryland railway company. Members are especially interested in the history of railroads and rail transit lines that have existed in western maryland and adjacent parts of pennsylvania. The voluntary relief department of western maryland. It was built in 19 as a stop for the western maryland railway wm. Western maryland railway company the western maryland railway company, originally chartered as the baltimore, carroll and frederick railroad company in 1852, was projected with the idea of recapturing the trade of the cumberland valley, which centered in hagerstown and was being diverted toward philadelphia. It also takes a look at the railroad more than a decade after its merger into the chessie system. Western maryland railway, cumberland extension, pearre to north branch, from wm milepost 125 to 160, pearre, washington county, md. The western maryland railway, affectionately known as the wild mary, was a truly fascinating carrier. 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. Documentation of the baltimore and drum point railroad, ct. History of the western maryland ilail road, 18301866. Originally intended to provide transportation between baltimore and the cumberland valley and to handle trade in this region that was otherwise being diverted to philadelphia, it grew by the mid20 th century to incorporate more than 30 railroads, including the hanover branch and. The georges creek 1987 1994 with western maryland the western maryland in pictures to the employees of the wm railway csx. The western maryland scenic railroad was built over rough terrain and thus used numerous tunnels and bridges to achieve a manageable grade.
Anthony puzzilla is a retired federal government employee and is now a fulltime railfan and model train lover. Aerial view of paw paw bends from milepost 1 to 144 western maryland railway, cumberland extension, pearre to north branch, from wm milepost 125 to 160, pearre, washington county, md. Western maryland railway railroad history and classic. It built a branch east of union station to hillen station, which opened in 1876 and became the company headquarters. Choose your favorite western maryland railroad designs and purchase them as. The maryland department of natural resources dnr is reaffirming the. Mar 5, 2014 this pin was discovered by michael devore. The western maryland railway is the latest addition to arcadia publishings images of america series. On march 21, 1853, an act was passed by the maryland general assembly to change the name to the western maryland rail road company. The line paralleled the potomac river, with three entries into morgan county, west virginia, in the vicinity of paw paw. Here, the western maryland railway constructed a tunnel through the mountain in order to cut off a large bend in the river.
Western maryland, also known as the states panhandle, is the most remote section of maryland, and most popular among tourists for its mountainous natural beauty. Choose your favorite western maryland railroad designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more. Railroads like western maryland railway that were started after 1900 will not have as many valuable collectibles or antiques as older lines. The western maryland railway bridge spring gap underpass is significant as a component of the 34mile section of the western maryland railway, which was acquired by the united states for the chesapeake and ohio canal national historical park, has regional significance as a protected remnant of one of the last major phases of. Value of railroad antiques from western maryland railway.
The western maryland railway company began as the baltimore, carroll and frederick railroad in 1852. Western maryland railway company has 3,459 members. Sep 05, 2016 the western maryland scenic railroad was built over rough terrain and thus used numerous tunnels and bridges to achieve a manageable grade. Building a homestead root cellar ebook a stepbystep guide to building your. The western maryland railway reporting mark wm was an american class i railroad 18521983 which operated in maryland, west virginia, and pennsylvania. Railroad system and discusses the instruments and procedures used to map and layout railroads.
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