For those familiar, at the Mance Horseshoe Curve on Sand Patch Grade West of Cumberland, MD, a railfan bought a piece of land off a farmer and built a cabin and named it the ‘Mance Training Camp’ The owner furnished it with bunks and chairs and allowed railfans to use it if he was not there. Well, the owner, Roger Snyder, has announced on Trainorders Eastern Board that the Camp is now posted off limits and locked. Apparently, either some irresponsible railfans, or local teenagers have damaged property at the cabin, and used the owner’s firewood, and even spare tires that the owner keeps there for his railfanning vehicle, to burn in the firepit. Neighbors have also complained of loud parties at night (local riff-raff). So Mr, Snyder has found it necessary to close the Cabin to the public. Reports are that the access road from the Mance Crossing down to the camp (which also provides access to driveways of local residents) may be gated. Local residents are growing weary of some railfans stomping all over their land to get their shots…walking up onto their fields for elevation, etc…One homeowner posted on TO a few months ago that he returned home one day to find a railfan had taken the liberty of sitting on his front porch and using the owner’s electrical socket to charge camcorder batteries… Dave Williams @ nsaltoonajohnstown@yahoogroups.com
Isn’t it very sad that a “few bad apples always seem to spoil the bunch”. Oh well, now everybody suffers and I am sure the idiots who screwed things up for everybody will not find another off limits spot to spoil.