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Western Maryland photo freight to go ahead despite landslide
There’s no siding to run the engine around the train for the return trip, so I assume a diesel will have to drag the consist back to Cumberland
For those who have been wondering about the location known as “No. 9”, the Cumberland and Pennsylvania (C&Pa) served Consolidation Coal Company Mine No. 9, located on a portion of the switchback that allowed the C&Pa to reach Frostburg. (The C&Pa was completely integrated into the Western Maryland by 1954.)
When the Western Maryland Connellsville Extension was opened, August 1, 1912, the C&Pa trackage, which had been in place since the 1850’s, passed under the Western Maryland tracks going back to Mine No. 9, on the leg of the switchback coming up from Borden Yard. The C&Pa then passed over the Western Maryland twice on bridges that the WM Scenic still uses to reach the C&Pa Depot for Frostburg. (The Western Maryland station for Frostburg was located off New Hope Road, below the C&Pa Depot. It was burned by vandals in the 1960’s, and demolished by the Western Maryland.)
By C&Pa mileage, the location where the WM Scenic leaves original Western Maryland rails, and uses the former C&Pa roadbed, is approximately C 14. On the Western Maryland it is approximately B 180.
Anyone who would like a copy of a map drawn to show roughly how the switchback worked on the Cumberland and Pennsylvania, and/or how the crews made the move, may contact me at wmryco@sbcglobal.net.