RAILFAN GUIDE

Baltimore Division

Cumberland Subdivision

Brunswick, MD to Cumberland, MD

94.6 Miles  ·  Weverton to Mexico

Radio: BB Dispatcher ch. 94, Road ch. 08

Revised 2013.12.26

Notes

Note 1: 2013.12.11 — The Harper's Ferry interlocking controls passage through the tunnel as well as the junction of the Shenandoah sub, which diverges just inside the western mouth of the tunnel. The mainline continues west across a double track trestle over the Potomac River to Harper's Ferry station while the Shenandoah sub crosses the river on its own trestle and meanders around the village of Harper's Ferry, W.Va.

The popular Appalachian Trail crosses the Potomac on a catwalk built onto the Shenandoah sub trestle. Sandy Hook/Harper's Ferry Road passes directly under the convergence of both trestles near the western mouth of the tunnel as does the C&O canal which yields an ever-growing stream of photographs of the whole area from hikers, tourists, and railfans. Search any of the photo sites such as Picasa, Flickr, Pinterest, tumblr, etc. for photos of Loudoun Heights, Maryland Heights, and Harpers Ferry.

Note 2: 2013.12.14 — The interchange track to Norfolk Southern at Shenandoah Junction is rarely used for actual interchange. Noted rail photographer Dave Davies writes, “The track is considered OS with its only use being to store MOW equipment when they are in the area. At Shenandoah Junction Road it is considered the 'scale track' and connects to the NS main about 1000 feet to the south. North of SJR it splits in two, with a third stub just before the old store, which has held a crane for the last couple of years. The two tracks join again in the curve by the old station location. Just past the switch is a red tie that marks the division point between CSX and NS.

On the NS siding side at SJR, there is a switch that goes to the storage track that extends over SJR and connects to the main up near the bridge over CSX. In a couple months, the north end of the passing siding switch will be changed to a #20 switch, which will be placed north of SJR. Not sure how far north, it may eliminate the storage track altogether. Needless to say, all CPLs at the Junction will be replaced.”

Note 3: 2013.12.13 — Pearson Yard was a B&O and Chessie System complex that mainly served the GM parts plant. Now it is used for storage of cars from Quad Graphics to the W&W connection at CV Junction. Cars also go west to Hancock on D774 and then to D721 to Cumberland.

Note 4: 2013.12.15 — CSX calls track #4 through this stretch “The Low Grade” as it follows the lowlands along the shore of the Potomac River. Track #4 bears mileposts with the BAQ prefix as opposed to the BA prefix for tracks #1 and 2. It is typically traversed by loaded coal and rock trains headed east as they have an easier time with the grades; plus, their slow speed won't hamper hot intermodal trains up on the racetrack of tracks #1 and 2. Curiously, the mileposts on track #4 decrease going westward while the mainline mileposts increase going west. No one knows why.

Bob Cohen adds, “The Low Grade line was I believe not built until the early 1900s when the B&O and Pennsy got into something called 'The Coal Push' and moved a bunch of coal up into New England. West Cumbo Yard was built about that same time and serviced that coal among other things.”