Eastern Railroad Discussion > Maryland Midland UBHF tonight

In Thurmont ,MD. at 4:45pm, picked up 4 empty boxes from NVR Homes factory, departed Thurmont at 5:15pm.
2 GP38-2s,2 SD40-2s, 35 cement loads, and the aforementioned 4 empty boxes.
The 38s definitely outshouted the 40s getting into the grade out of town...

One thing that I do not understand about the Maryland Midland operation is what determines which way they haul their freight to get to their connections with CSX?  I am familiar with the former Western Maryland main line and I see that some trains of the MM come down east to Glyndon, Maryland where they interchange with CSX while other trains climb up the mountains going west from Union Bridge to interchange with CSX at Highfield, Pennsylvania.  Thanks.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

MMID works with CSX as to the best way and quickest transit times for the cement to arrive at each terminal.  This is what determines which direction the cement goes.

I also believe that anything destined for NS goes west for Hagerstown, while stuff that is mainly CSX routing can go either way.