04/24/1999 - 04/25/1999 West Virginia/Maryland Railfanning

04/24/1999 - 04/25/1999 West Virginia / Maryland Railfanning

On a river rafting trip, I took an afternoon/evening side trip to explore the locale. I discovered quite a bit. I came across a large coal mine (unfortunately, I didn't snap any photos), the West Virginia Northern shortline railroad, and Tunnelton, WV. On my drive back to DC I stopped in Cumberland, MD to investigate.

"The WVN provides a scenic, relaxing, and educational 10.7 mile (21 mile round-trip) from Kingwood, WV to Tunnelton, WV. At Tunnelton a connection remains with CSX on the ex-B&O's famous West End Division, with frequent CSX traffic. A coal-hauling railroad dating back to the 1880's, the line consists of steep grades and tight curves. A double switch-back and the third steepest grade in the state (4.77%) highlight the journey. Equipment is a mixture of refurbished Long Island commuter cars and Erie Lackawanna MU electric cars. Motive power for the journey is a very rare EMD SW-1200"

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	Caboose spotted at Tunnelton, WV, across tracks from depots. SWMX 4876. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	Closeup of caboose SWMX 4876. I believe that this caboose is the same one pictured here on George Elwood's excellent site parked in Cumberland, MD after its restoration and renumbering to Southern Westmoreland SWMX 500. After digging around a little more I discovered that this is probably ex BLE 1987, SWMX 4876, SWMX 500, TREX 1987, and is now in operation at the Western Maryland Scenic RR (WMSR). I photographed this car again in 2002 in Cumberland! Canon AE-1 Program 35mm Kodak film
	B&O (CSX) Tunnelton WV freight depot. "Two railroad tunnels, dug by hand beginning in 1850 and upon completion, three years later, were the longest in the world. This railroad route was the shortest distance between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean. These tunnels are 4,100 feet long and the entrance to them can be seen from the railroad bridge in Tunnelton. The tunnels were very crucial during the Civil War, and an area of tight security. Tunnelton Train Station can be seen by going through the underpass and turning left. This station served the railroad many years. Directions/Locations: State Route 26 South from Kingwood, approximately 12 miles to Tunnelton." Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	Closeup of Tunnelton frieght depot sign. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	Tunnelton passenger station. "The depot was constructed during the period of 1912 through 1913. The depot served as a hub of transportation for passengers and freight. It is an exceptional example of the early 20th century railroad architecture. The exterior walls are constructed of brick and stone, with ornate wood soffit, extended wood fascia, and Spanish style ceramic roof tiles, topped with large caps." Open by appointment only. Tunnelton Historical Society - Railroad Depot Contact: Robert Shaffer PO Box 137 Preston County Tunnelton, WV 26444 (304) 568-2853 Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	WVN RR interchange tracks; used to interchange coal between WVN RR & CSX (B&O RR) until 1990 when coal service discontinued and CSX removed most of the tracks. The WVN RR passenger interchange tracks are also here, service was discontinued in 1999. Here is a link to an 8/1998 photo of SW1200 WVN 52 in Tunnelton on Gary's Train Page. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	WVN RR yard, Kingwood WV. "Departing from Kingwood, the train must negotiate steep grades and a double switchback on its round trip to Tunnelton, where coal trains were once interchanged with the B&O Railroad." Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	Closeup of 0-4-0T Vulcan tank engine, WVN 17. Has since been moved to NC: "Classified as a 44 ton switch locomotive. It was built in 1941 for New York Ship Builders" http://www.nhvry.org/roster.htm Number 17 is now restored and under steam at the North Carolina Railroad Museum & New Hope Valley Railway seeing limited excursion service. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	NRHX passenger cars. These are ex Erie Lackawanna MU cars. They used to have pantographs mounted on top and were used in commuter service. For more info visit the Horseshoe Curve Chapter of the NRHS. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	NRHX 104. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	WVN RR wooden water tank. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	NRHX passenger cars. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	Caboose CRR 1072. At Cumberland Station. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	WM (WMSR) Cumberland Station. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	WM (WMSR) Cumberland Station. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	Adjoining area behind Cumberland Station. Old Dye Works building in distance. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	*Close up of dye works building. Text reads: Footer's, Dye Works, America's Greatest, ???.* Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	C&O Canal terminus. (184.5 miles to Georgetown!). *Note: It would be nearly 4 years to the day that my friend Matt and I would set out from this point on our bike ride from Cumberland to Hancock MD. See pics in my Gallery! Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	Water standpipe for locomotive refilling. Located on the station platform. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
	Panorama showing Potomac river with WM (WMSR) crossing in foreground from West Virginia. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film.
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