Steam & Excursion > Front End Friday: Steam Edition, 1990 in Frostburg, MD

In 1990 the Jack Showalter-owned Pacific #1238 was in service on the Western Maryland Scenic.

B&O Bill

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Great photo!  One question:  Where exactly in Frostburg are (were) there 3 tracks as in the photo?

TractiveEffort: The train was at the Depot in Frostburg, loading for departure back down the mountain. I haven't been there for a few years, so i can't speak to current trackage. Here's other photos from 1994 at the site.

B&OBill

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I am glad that I rode the WMSR when the two CPR 4-6-2's were on site.  In the good old days,  we would ride the train to Frostburg and then watch them turn the locomotive on the turntable (what a concept)!!  There used to be a place in the station to grab a decent sandwich for lunch.  Too bad that it is all changed now as it had great potential back then!!

Ron

TractiveEffort Wrote:
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> Great photo!  One question:  Where exactly in
> Frostburg are (were) there 3 tracks as in the
> photo?
Up in Frostburg, there was an extra siding that was where some private cars were parked, and the end of the track went behind the station.  At some point, that track was removed but I don't remember when.  Yes, those steam rides were fun with those two Pacific Locomotives owned by Jack Showalter.  Unfortunately, Mr. Showalter had a contract for a number of years and when it was ready to expire, he wanted a much larger amount of money to continue with his engines.  The State of Maryland said no, thus he took his engines and moved down into Virginia.  The State of Maryland was able to obtain another operator to run diesel trains for a number of years before they finally got the steam engine #734 and a new group which is now called the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

TractiveEffort Wrote:
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> Great photo!  One question:  Where exactly in
> Frostburg are (were) there 3 tracks as in the
> photo?
The current track layout in Frostburg is not the original as used by the C&P/WM.
Prior to abandonment in 1972, this branch had 2 passing tracks at the station, along with the main track. Photo 1, by W.P.Price, WWJ collection
There was no track here from 1972-1988. Photo 2 - 1976 photo by Steve Salamon, WMRHS collection 
In 1988, track was relaid, with 1 passing track, and a short station track just east of the station. This was used by the original station owner to park his kitchen car for the restaurant, later various passenger cars could be seen parked there. Photo 3- WWJ collection

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steamfan759 Wrote:
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> I am glad that I rode the WMSR when the two CPR
> 4-6-2's were on site.  In the good old days,  we
> would ride the train to Frostburg and then watch
> them turn the locomotive on the turntable (what a
> concept)!!  There used to be a place in the
> station to grab a decent sandwich for lunch.  Too
> bad that it is all changed now as it had great
> potential back then!!
>
> Ron
It was called the Allegany Central then and only lasted 2 years. 1989-1990, and the restaurant didn't last much longer.
The 734 ran here for 23 years, turned regularly on the turntable, and you weren't interested in that ?
Why wouldn't it have great potential now and going forward?
BTW I never had a bad meal from the Tunnel Inn across the street.

ClubCar Wrote:
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> TractiveEffort Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Great photo!  One question:  Where exactly in
> > Frostburg are (were) there 3 tracks as in the
> > photo?
> Up in Frostburg, there was an extra siding that
> was where some private cars were parked, and the
> end of the track went behind the station.  At
> some point, that track was removed but I don't
> remember when.  Yes, those steam rides were fun
> with those two Pacific Locomotives owned by Jack
> Showalter.  Unfortunately, Mr. Showalter had a
> contract for a number of years and when it was
> ready to expire, he wanted a much larger amount of
> money to continue with his engines.  The State of
> Maryland said no, thus he took his engines and
> moved down into Virginia.  The State of Maryland
> was able to obtain another operator to run diesel
> trains for a number of years before they finally
> got the steam engine #734 and a new group which is
> now called the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
> John in White Marsh, Maryland
Since you have trouble with dates...
Showalter was there 2 years, thats it, some of you "good-old-days crowd" want to believe he was there for 10 years...
It was not the state, but the county that could not reach agreement.
The Alco diesels came in 1991 with the rename to WMSR, and 734 came along in 1993.
The station track was removed in 2009.
When was your last visit to the WMSR, Club?
 

Yes - I was there a number of times and rode behind 734. I was referring to the fine photo that had started this thread and yes I knew it was short lived!  I just love some of the replies on some of the posts.  We enjoyed our times there and I hope to go back of the 1309 ever returns.  I have attached a photo of my best connection to the old C&P!

Ron

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