In the mountainous western end of Maryland, a paper mill now owned by Verso Corp., has given a succession of RRs considerable business since it was founded in the 1880s.
Located in the far southwestern tip of Allegany County, adjacent to the former company town of Luke,MD., this mill is served by CSX and the shortline George's Creek RWY. The trackage was WM, but originally goes back to the WVAC&P. The main line goes right through the mill complex, the B&O also had a spur into the mill. In the past, there was much more trackage, including a short branch along the Potomac and Savage Rivers, and a narrow gauge complex serving parts of the mill.
On 6/9/2017 I was able to catch some photos of both outfits switching parts of the mill. George's Creek handles specific in-plant car switching while CSX switches the distribution warehouses and brings cars to the shortline from the x-WM yard (West Virginia Central Jct.) across the Potomac River.
George's Creek #101 is an Alco T-6 of PRR origin
The 2 CSX GP38-2s also have some history, 2748 is originally Penn Central (1973), and 2787 is originally Conrail (1978) Even the "shoving platform" looks decent and has character.
All images by Warren W. Jenkins, and taken from public streets/highways, and attached sidewalks/shoulders.
Do not trespass on Verso mill property!
