I thought I’d bring everyone up to date on my progress via a photo essay. Our tour guide is GP-9 5978, the latest kitten in the litter.
Our train is eastbound at Eckhart Junction, heading under the old State Line Branch, on the west end of the Cumberland Narrows.
5978 and mate (GP-40 4061) coming into City Junction, rounding the O-31 curve that will take us under the city (hidden trackage).
Our train is passing the WESTERN MARYLAND Cumberland station, entering the 45 degree crossing. From this point, we can either head over to the B&O side, or continue onto the Cumberland Viaduct.
Climbing over the Viaduct.
Rounding the west side of the old court house and Allegany Academy, heading westbound now.
Our train has now looped over itself (Tehachapi style) and is now traversing the State Line bridge.
Now heading back onto the original CONNELLSVILLE SUBDIVISION, preparing to enter the town of Meyersdale, PA.
On our return trip we opted for B&O rails, and are about to cross Baltimore St.
This is the return loop thru town, with a maximum train length of 15 cars.
Fife - just amazing what you have done! Can’t wait to see the Yellowbelly pulling some streamlined passenger cars around the Cumberland Extension! Or the B&O Sharks pulling their newly acquired passenger cars (thanks RT!). Also want to get a closer look that the new GP9!
Great photos through some spectacular scenery. I love the fall trees. Whats neat is the way you have named the towns following the prototype and your train appears to be going somewhere. I enjoyed the ride.
Roy - The new section is only 7 x 6’2". Tied in with the old CONNELLSVILLE SUB, the railroad now measures a “still” manageable 9 x 13. My 2.0 speed-controlled engines take approx. 1 min 25 sec to make a complete circuit at 16 volts.
Dave C - The switch from the smaller scales to “Hi-Rail” has allowed me to concentrate on giving the scenery the right “flavor” without having to sweat the details. If I built a contest quality kit for the railroad, it would stick out like a purple thumb. I want the visitor to watch the trains, while getting the feeling they’ve been in the area before.
Brutus - Chessie is my all-time favorite, but I certainly would love if Mr Wolfe brought out a chop-nosed GP9/GP7 in WESTERN MARYLAND colors.
