Western Maryland, Big Savage Mountain Grade to the Tunnel
Map
The grade from Frostburg to Big Savage Tunnel is shown on this map as well as some of the locations that can be viewed from the mountainside railway. The grade will eventually be a part of the impressive Allegheny Highland Trail coming south from PA., although it is fairly heavily used now by hunters, firewood cutters and kids looking for a place to ride four wheelers.
From Frostburg Looking East
Frostburg is Allegany County's mountain city. Elevation at the water resevoir on the west end is about 2,300 feet, comparing with Garrett County's mountaintop towns. In this photo, a straight shot through the Jennings Run gap gives a view all the way to Wills Mountain and beyond. What looks like fog in the valley is actually the massive quarrying on the side of Wills Mountain. WMSRR train is actually in this photo going through the gap, look for the sound of the whistle.
Overlooking Mt. Savage
Mt. Savage industry was fed with raw material from Big Savage, using tram roads that went down the hollows. This photo was taken well above the rail line on a reclaimed surface mine. The new high school and the distinctive church steeple are Mt. Savage landmarks visble at this location.
Mason-Dixon Line
The Mason Dixon line in Western Maryland can be physically viewed as a gas pipeline cleared right of way which is only a few feet north of the imaginary line. Note the line going over Little Allegheny and Wills Mountain in this shot.
At Colmar, Overlooking Wellersburg, PA
Colmar is a Western Maryland place name for the location just before the tunnel where helpers cut off and returned back down the grade (did they back down?). With the leaves off of the trees, one can see Wellersburg in the North Branch of Jennings Run valley below (note the Mason-Dixon line just south of the town). This valley was one of the proposed routes for the B&O surveyed in 1830's. It certainly would have been a steep route, going from Jennings Run to the summit of Big Savage in one grade! Drive Rt. 160 sometime to see for yourself.
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Trainwreck on Big Savage- 1925 !
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