When and why was this more direct route to Cincinnati severed? What type of traffic heads down that way now from Cumberland...there are still portions of CTC on whats left of that route.
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Good question but I think it was pretty mountainous.
Originally Posted by Mike W.:
When and why was this more direct route to Cincinnati severed? What type of traffic heads down that way now from Cumberland...there are still portions of CTC on whats left of that route.
Here is everything you need to know about the downfall of the Ohio Division. It's a very interesting read.
The xB&O, now CSX MTN. Sub from Cumberland,through Keyser,WV. and up over 17 mile grade to Oakland,MD. is still an active RR, though nowhere like it was up to 1986.
I have many memories of this line from my childhood and teen years, including:
A 2nd grade field trip on a passenger train from Cumberland to Keyser c.1966;
A Chessie Steam Special behind RDG#2101 in 1978 from Cumberland to Terra Alta,WV.
Watching TRAILER JETS and coal trains while unloading a beer truck in downtown Oakland,MD.from 1979-1983.
Unfortunately all of the manned towers and B&O CPLs are gone now from this section.
Besides loaded coal trains and empties, freights 316 and 317 carry merchandise between Cumberland and Grafton, with the major customer being the Verso paper mill at Luke,MD. There are also westbound coal trains between Cumberland and Luke, where connection is made with the x-WM line to Elkins, these loads go to the power plant at MT. Storm,WV.
Attached are a few pics I've taken over the years:
Westbound empties 2 miles south of Cumberland, c.2005
Location of Patterson Creek Cutoff at McKenzie,MD. in 1978, a few years after abandonment. This cutoff allowed freight, coal, and certain passenger trains to bypass Cumberland.
Westbound freight train 317 at Pinto,MD. c.2005
Westbound freight approaches summit of 17 mile grade at Altamont,MD. About to go under MD. RT135., c.1993
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