Steam & Excursion > Western Maryland - Helmstetter's Farm for Sale

I am not involved in this sale in any way, nor do I have any inside details...but I do wish to pass along the public information concerning the sale of the famous Helmstetter Farm just west of Cumberland. The former WM's Connellsville Extension (now WMSR and the GAP trail) bisects the farm at what's familiar to many on here as "Helmstetter's Curve." Whether this remains a working farm or is subdivided into developed lots will be determined by the new owner, of course.

Here is the Zillow link:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/11515-Cash-Valley-Rd-Corriganville-MD-21524/2082907223_zpid/

 

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That's unfortunte that Mr. Helmstetter is selling his farm; but he is getting up in years.  On 10/26/09 Karl Franz organized a photo freight on WMSR the proceeds of which were donated to the rebuilding of his barn which had burned down.
1.  A new foundation had been built.
2. The family was very appreciative of our donation.
3. Karl Franz with Mr. and Mrs Helmstetter at lunch in the Frostburg station.

Gerry

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Fans always had a good time there.
1. 10/26/09
2. 1/31/10
Let's hope the new owners are as generous with access to the property.

Gerry

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Let's hope it doesn't become a housing tract development for obvious reasons.

   Ross Rowland

 As a farm its set up to fail. At 131 ac you cant make enuf for the estimated monthly payments.
RB

i dont see that becoming a developement , not with economy in tank in western maryland , 

i doubt that wmsrr will ever be what it once was , that pains me to think it and say it , 

i wonder who on the board and do they have meeting and if they do is public able to come 

and if they have not had meetings are they breaking some law buy not .

Just look at that beautiful broadside in sun, of the freight on the curve.      That scene looks NOTHING like that today. If you think you are going to get the C&O   (yes, I said it) 2-6-6-2 ....at that location, you are mistaken.    The bushes and trees have completely obliterated the scene.  It would take an army of brush cutters a week, to clear and REMOVE the cuttings.     Any volunteers.....assuming the new farm owners will let you in.



 

Glad I got some cows while I could.  October 2013.

JBWX

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Who actually owns the right of way and track now? Is it the state?

GREAT shot John.

up833 Wrote:
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>  As a farm its set up to fail. At 131 ac you cant
> make enuf for the estimated monthly payments.
> RB

Just wondering, why? What are the current owner farming? Cattle, row crops, railfans? BTW, a million is not a lot 

As for the railroad, well that's another story



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/19 09:18 by CPRR.

The cows prefer diesels...

We need a wealthy benefactor to buy it and make it a part of the rail/trail attraction. 

ts1457 Wrote:
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> We need a wealthy benefactor to buy it and make it
> a part of the rail/trail attraction. 

Heck the price is a bargain.  That is less than the price of a suburban home in the SF Bay Area, and you get something like 137 acres of crop land, pasture, and forest, not to mention a nice new barn.  Now if I had confidence in the 1309 running, I might just ask my wife.  On the other hand my cousin was in the dairy business and I remember her husband having to get up to milk the cows.  Maybe not.

JBWX

It may not make sense as a production farm, but as a hobby farm for a retired person or someone otherwise self funded (and possibly a railfan) it might be a fine option.

I really enjoyed my one visit to the WMSR, and hope to go back to catch the mallet some day (fingers crossed.)

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Harlock Wrote:
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> It may not make sense as a production farm, but as
> a hobby farm for a retired person or someone
> otherwise self funded (and possibly a railfan) it
> might be a fine option.

I was thinking of something to enhance the tourism attractions. There's enough land to do some of this without affecting the current visuals. How about lodging  for hikers and tourists, farm/home style restaurant, period demonstration farm, recreational area, etc.?

Back when it was the WM’s main line..George Leilich ( WM VP Opns) made the many wonderful trips possible...
With Ross & HICO, we went around Helmstetter’s curve many times ( both directions) behind steam...
Hart’s Rail Tours Inc,CP 1286 ( 4-6-2) , HICO  759 excursions ( firing) & the 1969 GSCL,  
Benson’s RDG 2102 ( firing) excursions.  Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter.  
The cows were ‘fairly-use’ to trains...they were blasé with the passing of passenger or the daily freights...

Was always a welcome & wonderful sight to see..
Was a favorite of our passengers —the whole train of folks got to see the spectacular show...many cars were open window & Dutch-door vestibules-equipped coaches.... providing great opportunities for film and sound recordings...

Hope the farm prospers in the future..

​W.

 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/19 02:18 by wcamp1472.

Sure..........why not make a giant corn maze.   Plenty of room for parking.

Keystone1 Wrote:
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> Just look at that beautiful broadside in sun, of
> the freight on the curve.      That scene looks
> NOTHING like that today. If you think you are
> going to get the C&O   (yes, I said it) 2-6-6-2
> ....at that location, you are mistaken.    The
> bushes and trees have completely obliterated the
> scene.  It would take an army of brush cutters a
> week, to clear and REMOVE the cuttings.     Any
> volunteers.....assuming the new farm owners will
> let you in.
>
Ask Karl how many trees he and Helmstetter cut down when they first opened up the curve for photos.  A few hundred I recall.
>
>  

The price is to high. Look at this, bigger house, more baths, and more land, same price:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/13500-Benjamin-Rd-NW-Mount-Savage-MD-21545/36157578_zpid/