Western Maryland, Number 9 to WM Frostburg Station Site

Map of C&P and WM lines below Frostburg.

This map shows the various underpasses and overpasses required to get the WM new line through the C&P switchback below Frostburg. Map is from Deane Mellander's excellent

Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad

book. Although clear and concise, this map does not show the dramatic differences in elevation and grades of the various lines. The fact that C&P used a double switchbackto get their modest trains up the hill is telling however


August 27, 1999 had started with some rare rain showers in this prolonged drought year. 734 was slipping as it left the WM new line and pulled a heavy Friday train up the C&P line to the scenic rail terminus. This line,like all C&P from Mt. Savage to Frostburg, is steep (2.8% grade). The passengers (WMSRR most important asset as opposed to freeloading,tresspassing hack photographers)looked happy despite the gloomy day.

Frostburg WM Station Site

The site of the Frostburg WM station (as opposed to the C&P depot, higher up the mountain). Note the underpass for the New Hope Road from Zihlman (Allegany Station on the map) to the C&P Depot. In fact, the WM line from the C&P overpass to this area is on a huge fill as the WM line makes another horseshoe curve in a transition from Federal Hill to Big Savage grades. Literature from the Allegheny Highland Trail states that this will be trailhead facility location. The second photo is from the WM station site looking up to the C&P Depot, quite an increase in elevation. If you look closely, you can see the smoke of the Baldwin as it was being turned.

Bob's Photos- a native of Frostburg with WM photos from the 1950s to recent

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

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