Map
Blackwater Canyon is about 800 feet deep at the junction of the North Fork and Blackwater River. On this map, part of the Francis Branch appears rounding the point of the ridge. The spot marked as ski area is actually the bobsled run at Blackwater Falls State Park. Two excellent ski areas, Timberline and Canaan Valley are close to here, however. This grade was part of Henry G. Davis' West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railroad. Davis, often villified, was quite a remarkable person. His railroad up the North Branch of the Potomac opened this wilderness area for mining and timbering, providing generations of honest employment to West Virginians. The effect on the environment was often harsh, but was the norm of a day when natural resources were viewed as put in place for man's complete use. Davis' vision and fortitude is shown in this grade down the Blackwater. To this point, all the products of Davis' mines and lumber mills were shipped downhill to Cumberland along the Potomac. In extending his railroad across the divide and down the Blackwater, coal and lumber would have to brought up this tremendous canyon. And as coal is not found south of here for a considerable distance, the road would have to depend on timber products for revenue past the towns of Thomas and Davis for years. Davis and his son-in-law, Stephen Elkins, could not even be assured of inbound freight traffic as they were founding towns as they went. All of this was taking place only about one hundred years ago. Some excellent photos of this grade appear in The Western Maryland Railway- Fireballs & Black Diamonds by Cook and Zimmerman .
Douglas Falls
This falls just below Douglas is the point that the canyon starts seriously cutting down through the 3,200 foot plateau around Thomas and Davis.
Steep Grade
It is hard to photographically capture the steepness of this grade, reported to be 3.75% in places. On a bicycle, going down requires considerable braking and pedalling up requires some effort. Of course, Western Maryland was not riding bikes, they were daily bringing up coal drags for years, winter and summer,day and night. Winters at this elevation are severe to say the least. The grade required up to seven Consolidations or later Alco RS-3s. Coal from Webster Springs area could be shipped out through Cowen on the ex B&O, so the 1985 flood that wiped out the WM around Parsons was only a good excuse for abandoning the Grade (rails are pulled from Henry to Elkins) The Grade is owned by the Forest Service.
Culvert
It is reported that when the grade was first laid, much of it was on tressle.
Even in WM days, much of the grade was held up by various rail ,concrete and tie support structures. This culvert crosses a intermittent run that becomes a roaring cascade after heavy rain.
Its a long way down now to the river. Compare this drop with the photos of Douglas, where the river is almost on grade with the railroad.
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Much of the other side of the grade is sheer rock.
Henry Gassaway Davis
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Cass Scenic Railroad, home of Western Maryland Shay No.6
More railroad photos
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