Western Maryland, Number 9 to WM Frostburg Station Site

Western Maryland Railway-Frostburg

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C&P Depot Area Map

According to the information in the link at the bottom of the page, Frostburg also had a steam locomotive manufacturer, T.H. Paul. Location was below the C&P depot.

C&P Depot-Frostburg

The current terminus of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is this former depot of the Cumberland and Pennsylvania. The C&P dated dated from the mid 1800's as a coal carrier to the newly arrived B&O and the C&O canal. Headquarters were down the mountain in Mt. Savage, where complete shops had the ability to make locomotives used by the C&P and sold to others. Although tied closely from its beginnings with the B&O, the C&P eventually was purchashed by Western Maryland. Immediately adjacent to the depot was a tunnel that bore under main street area of Frostburg so the line could continue down through Georges Creek coal fields to its facilities in Westernport and connection with the B&O at Piedmont. Serving fire brick works in the Mt. Savage area as well as coal, the C&P, WM, Chessie, and CSX operated this railroad. The Western Maryland eventually closed the tunnel, but continued to use tracks on both sides. Today, the railroad from Westernport to a few miles below Frostburg is still in use. Several floods in recent years wiped out tracks and bridges, but so far they have been rebuilt, continuing the long heritage of coal by rails in the area. CSX had no choice at the last flood, a loaded train complete with locomotives was at the far end.

Fall, 1997

(Note: this was written in 1997,the controversy has since been resolved)Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 734 is approaching the turntable that was constructed at the closed tunnel. The depot and turntable are owned by an individual, creating controversy at the critical terminus of the otherwise state owned/non-profit operation. Western Maryland Railway had a Frostburg passenger station on the mainline further down from this depot. In the backgroud is Savage Mountain.

Turntable

734, after being turned, is now able to couple with the back end of the passenger cars and head back down the mountain.

More photos

Bob's Photos of Frostburg and the WM- from the 1950s to recent

History of Mt. Savage, C&P and Paul Foundry

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