Western Maryland, Narrows (Under constuction by Mother Nature)

Map

Map shows 1949 Cumberland. Note that developments on Haystack Mountain (houses, hospital and BW High School) are all still in the future. C&P rails through LaVale are operational and the GC & C line still showed some rail above Narrows Park. On the Wills Mountain side, Lovers Leap was a nightclub where ArtMor Plastics is today.

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Tuscarora Sandstone is exposed at top of the Narrows.
WMSRR and CSXT share the Narrows with US Alt 40. Wills Creek, the creator of the gap, has an extensive and steep watershed that cuts through two major Allegheny ridges, before making this 900 vertical foot gap through Wills Mountain. Note that the left bank is somewhat colored. Braddock Run adds the tint from iron oxide dissolved out of the mines in Eckhart and Hoffman Hollow.
The Friday train is approaching Georges Creek Junction, the PRR crossed over Wills Creek and B&O to travel on the east side of Wills Creek. In the background is the ridge that separates LaVale from Cash Valley, then the Allegheny Front complex and finally in the distance the Big Savage summit. This view essentially shows the route WM used to gain over 2000 vertical feet to reach the Youghiogheny watershed.
Looking back at Cumberland, an autumn haze is trapped by a strong high pressure system. Little of the haze these days is from industrial sources.

October 22, 1999

.... Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Cass Scenic Railroad, home of Western Maryland Shay No.6

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