Eastern Railroad Discussion > Maryland Midland battles Murphy's Law. (Part 1)

Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 started out normally for the MMID UBHF job, with 3 SD40-2s up front and 2 GP38-3s bringing up the rear, the train proceeded west from Union Bridge with 50 cement loads.
At Middleburg, MD. the train ran out of the morning fog, and then back into it at Keymar.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/12/20 07:42 by bigsavage.

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Out into sunlight just east of Rocky Ridge, MD.

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After switching NVR Homes at Thurmont and picking up 8 empties, the UBHF left town up the 1.93% of the former WMRY mainline over Catoctin Mountain.
3 miles into the climb, it became apparent that GP38-3 #2061 was not loading, and the train speed dropped below 5mph. 
The train stalled at the village of Flint, after some discussion, it was decided to cut off 21 cement loads, and the 3 SDs would haul them up to CSX interchange at Highfield, MD.
1. Train is barely moving just east of Flint.
2. 3 SDs haul 21 cars uphill, seen from Debold Rd. in Sabillasville, MD.
3. After leaving the loads for CSX, engines drift downhill at Sabillasville @ Old FT. Ritchie Rd. crossing to fetch rest of train.

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A seldom-used overlook on Buck Lantz Rd. was used for the second trip, as it was already early afternoon.
Finally, the train made it by the former WM station (now a library) in Blue Ridge Summit, PA. which marks the top of the grade.
All photos by Warren W. Jenkins

Part 2 will cover MMID's exchange with the CSX Hanover-Hagerstown local, and the UBHF's return trip.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/12/20 07:41 by bigsavage.

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Thanks so much for your coverage of the former Western Maryland Railway main line.  That is a steep grade for sure as I have ridden this line back when it was the WM and later when the Maryland Midland took it over.  Love your photos especially the one where the old WM signal is still working.  That's really great to see since most of the line is now dark.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

Beautiful series of shots! I love the very first one...great atmospheric appeal for sure.

Bill Rettberg
Bel Air, MD

Roadjob Wrote:
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> Beautiful series of shots! I love the very first
> one...great atmospheric appeal for sure.

Agreed - all are good, but the first one is sue-puyb!!

Fantastic Series !

A really nice series.  Only thing missing is some WM steam up front.  Thanks for sharing all of those.

#1 gets my nomination for IOTD

Warren - thanks for an excellent series of shots on one of my favorite segments of railroad.  You captured the foggy atmosphere very well, and also chose some creative and unconventional photo composition and locations.  I suspect the Western Maryland also had occasional days around here when Murphy's Law was in effect.  As one of my customers once said, "Murphy is alive and well, and works for the railroad".  Glad to see the spirit of the Western Maryland lives on. 

Steve Salamon
Valley City, OH  

 

That's a great series, thank you.

The station at Blue Ridge Summit has an interesting turret. I wonder if they borrowed CNJ or Reading company plans?

Posted from Android

That is a great bunch. Why is that signal green? Should be red?
JB

3rdswitch Wrote:
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> That is a great bunch. Why is that signal green?
> Should be red?
> JB

I believe those signals show the switch position, they aren't block signals any more. 

Cole42 Wrote:
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> 3rdswitch Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
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> > That is a great bunch. Why is that signal
> green?
> > Should be red?
> > JB
>
> I believe those signals show the switch position,
> they aren't block signals any more. 

Correct, they show the switch position for the connector track to the x-PRR Taneytown/Woodsboro branch.
AFAIK, the only x-WM signals operating in any form, although there are still a number of derelict signals between Highfield and Emory Grove.

Nice pics!!