Eastern Railroad Discussion > Sand Patch Grade's MP 177

What is the location name???(if any) and surroundings at MP 177 on the Sand Patch Grade like? Or is it east of Cumberland? It's an odd question, I know, but someone asked me.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/14 10:41 by sandpatch25.

Virginia Avenue MP 177

Thank you!!!

sandpatch25 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What is the location name???(if any) and
> surroundings at MP 177 on the Sand Patch Grade
> like? Or is it east of Cumberland? It's an odd
> question, I know, but someone asked me.

That's downtown Cumberland, MD and nowhere near the grade for Sandpatch which is at least another 20 miles west.

hoydie17 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> sandpatch25 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What is the location name???(if any) and
> > surroundings at MP 177 on the Sand Patch Grade
> > like? Or is it east of Cumberland? It's an odd
> > question, I know, but someone asked me.
>
> That's downtown Cumberland, MD and nowhere near
> the grade for Sandpatch which is at least another
> 20 miles west.

Interesting that you say that. From many publications that I have read and people have told me, CSX's namesake grade had started in Cumberland and ended in Connellsville, PA. I have thought about that question too. And your are very right; the true "grade's" origin really starts around Hyndman, PA. You can truly see that in a raised-relief map.

That raises to question to me: Is there an official document, that states the exact locations/MPs that its right-of-way is designated to?

sandpatch25 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hoydie17 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > sandpatch25 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > What is the location name???(if any) and
> > > surroundings at MP 177 on the Sand Patch
> Grade
> > > like? Or is it east of Cumberland? It's an
> odd
> > > question, I know, but someone asked me.
> >
> > That's downtown Cumberland, MD and nowhere near
> > the grade for Sandpatch which is at least
> another
> > 20 miles west.
>
> Interesting that you say that. From many
> publications that I have read and people have told
> me, CSX's namesake grade had started in Cumberland
> and ended in Connellsville, PA. I have thought
> about that question too. And your are very right;
> the true "grade's" origin really starts around
> Hyndman, PA. You can truly see that in a
> raised-relief map.
>
> That raises to question to me: Is there an
> official document, that states the exact
> locations/MPs that its right-of-way is designated
> to?

I don't think the railroad particularly cares to assign an official begin/end point for the grade on either side of the mountain ("Sand Patch Grade Begins HERE"), but surely their profile maps show where the grade starts on either side.

The CSX mainline follows the river course of Wills Creek from downtown Cumberland (MP-178)to the east portal Sand Patch Tunnel(MP-211). Way back in history westbound passenger trains picked up their helper during their station stop in Cumberland. Heavy freight trains picked up their helper west of the Cumberland Narrows. Steam helpers were stationed just west of the Narrows to cut down on smoke in the city. Helpers were also routinely added in Hyndman for westbounds. Eastbound the CSX follows the river course of the Youghiogheny River, Casselman River and Flaugherty Creek to Sand Patch summit. Helpers are added in Connellsville (MP-270) and sometimes Rockwood or Garrett. The grade is uphill from downtown Cumberland and uphill from Connellsville with about 92 miles of rugged mainline mountain railroading in between.

TOM BIERY



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/14 20:09 by TrackOne.

---