Eastern Railroad Discussion > MMID, CSX on x-WMRY trackage

The Western Maryland Railway (WMRY) has been gone 45 years, but parts of its trackage still survive with train traffic.
Yesterday, 3/18/2020, I was able to combine a shopping excursion with some railfanning.

Here at Highfield, MD. the Maryland Midland UBHF turn is switching out its inbound cars from the CSX Hagerstown-Hanover turn.
This train is sitting on the former x-WMRY Hanover sub tracks, still owned by CSX.
The UBHF is back to a morning schedule, however those interested in chasing this job should be aware of roadwork on nearby MD550 for at least a couple months. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/20 07:47 by bigsavage.

---

---

The CSX turn is sitting on the x-WMRY East sub, now owned by Maryland Midland, while waiting for MMID to pull out of its way. They have already picked up the cars from MMID amd are ready to pull west to Hagerstown.

---

---

CSX is back on its own rails and starting to drift down the mountain towards Hagerstown.
In the last 2 shots, the train is skirting Lake Royer on the former Fort Ritchie property in Cascade, MD.
The train is doing about 10mph.

---

---

---

The MMID continues to make up its eastbound train, mostly empty cement hoppers, and several loads for NVR Homes in Thurmont, MD.

---

---

---

Proceeding westward to Chambersburg, PA., we run across a eastbound CSX intermodal passing through New Franklin, PA. approaching the CSX yard at Chambersburg.
This was originally the WMRY Lurgan line, and was quite an impressive mainline with both WMRY and Reading trains.
I got ahead of the train at Zumbro, PA. at Stone Quarry Rd.

---

---

---

I suspected this train may have more than 1 engine, and about 2/3rds of the way came another GE as a DPU.
There are generally just 2 intermodals daily and an occasional local on this line.
All photos by WW Jenkins

---

---

Thanks for all the fine photos on the former Western Maryland Railway Line.  The WM was one fine operated, well maintained railroad and is still missed by many of us old guys who did have the privilege of riding passenger excursion trains over it in those good-ole-days.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

That was one fine photo essay.   That seems like a lot of power on MMID train.  Nice to see all matching units.  You did well with some fine lens work.

Tominde Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That was one fine photo essay.   That seems like
> a lot of power on MMID train.  Nice to see all
> matching units.  You did well with some fine lens
> work.
Thanks, the 11,000 hp of the MMID train is necessary for the 12 miles of westbound grades that go from 1.27% at Graceham,MD. to 1.93% west from Thurmont, to around 1.82% at the Sabillasville Horseshoe curve.
For this amount of horsepower, probably around 35-40 cars of cement, plus a gaggle of empties.
I posted a video of a slightly longer westbound leaving Thurmont back on 9/25/19, this is an approximate 70mm view of a westbound at Thurmont.
Lived here 15+ years, would have loved to have seen it in the WMRY steam/early diesel years...

---

Really nice catch and great pics. Looking forward to coming down again.

Ed

Thanks for posting, great to see pictures of that area.

Nice series, Warren.
I especially like the Ft. Ritchie photos--a seldom (if ever) used photo spot.
Congrats on the IOTD.
/Ted

Theowhitey Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nice series, Warren.
> I especially like the Ft. Ritchie photos--a seldom
> (if ever) used photo spot.
> Congrats on the IOTD.
> /Ted

Thanks, Ted!
All those wires are a bit of a turnoff, but the west slope of the mountain is a tree tunnel until Smithsburg.
You do what you can, when the leaves come out, it will be even worse.
BTW, the WMRHS is totally shut down for now, good thing you visited when you did.