Western Maryland Scenic on June 21st

helmsetter's curve comes too mind immediately but I don't know how to get there.  Also there are some neat bridges right around their station.

Here is an excellent thread on the Western Maryland Scenic, and the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail that we did early this year. 

A big thank you  to Dale H and others, who contributed to this thread.  

A lot of information and maps.  

Enjoy your trip. 

Mike CT 

Brush Tunnel can be accessed from the Woodcock Hollow parking area. 4 to 5 miles walking on the bike trail.  Brush Tunnel can also be accessed from the cemetery near Helmstetter's farm/curve.  The bike trail affords safe walking. Exercise caution when photographing the train.   There is usually a lot of people at Helmstetter's curve.

Picture taken near Woodcock Hollow.

I would try to get the train headed through the Narrows. I don't know how to get there, but I do know you will see lots of great action on both the WMSR and on CSX. Have a great trip! I'll be there in August.

Michael, leave Cumberland on US40, not I-68, and you go right through the Narrows.

Helmstetter's Curve is where the Cash Valley Road crosses the WM ROW. 

Just west of the Narrows, 40 goes southwest and Mt Savage Road goes north.  I suggest you look at Streets & Trips for the actual road layout.

FYI, at the Frostburg Station, an abandoned, fenced off tunnel goes under Route 40.  This was the C&P that headed south.

I-68 has no vbiews of the WM, other than the Cumberland Station.

If you get a chance, across the Potomac from Cumberland is the WMSRR shops and the old WM yards & ex-tunnel.

Here's the trail/Railroad map.  Note that this section of the Old Western Maryland RR/Great Allegheny Passage Bike trail is very remote.

(1.) Note Rt. 36 through Mount Savage to Frostburg. This is a small secondary road, use caution.   You can access Woodcock hollow via Rt. 36.  Mount Savage is a very old town, with an extremely narrow Main Street.  History indicates that the first Steel rails may have been manufactured here. 

(2.) Alt Rt. 40 is the better way to Frostburg from Cumberland.

(3.) I 68 can also be use to Frostburg.

(4.) I 68 to 546 Finzel to 2011 to access trail parking at the village of Deal. 

(5.) Continental divide and access to the Big Savage tunnel from Deal. From the map it appears to be about 2 1/2 miles to the tunnel. The tunnel is about 3/4 mile in length.  

(6.) From Deal, (25 miles), it is all down hill to Cumberland via the bike trail.  (3) tunnels.

Here is a look at the elevation change. Cumberland, to Frostburg, to the Eastern Continental divide.

WMSR is very chaseable on the uphill trek, one can catch it at several places if good planning is used. I.E. east end of Cumberland Narrows (shoot from side of ALT RT 40), Helmstetters Curve (take Cash Valley Rd. from either ALT. 40 or MD36), either of the grade xings around MT. Savage (Patty Baker RD. or Trimble Rd.), and then Frostburg Station. The GAP trail can be used to access other locations such as #9 switch, the 2 C&P bridges near Frostburg, Lap siding, and Brush tunnel.
The 90 min. layover at Frostburg goes quickly if one watches the turntable action, and then go for a bite at the Trail Inn Café adjacent (good food-reasonably priced)
I grew up in Frostburg less than 1/4 mile from all this, and after seeing the x-C&P tracks torn out in 1972, the old C&P depot fall into disrepair, and then the end of the WM Connellsville Sub. in 1976, it is a pleasure to have seen trains in my hometown over the last 25+ years.
Pics from visit/diesel cab ride 5/30/15:
Looking north from Frostburg depot down at GAP trailhead (Old WM tracks)WM depot stood here until 1967. Connellsville to left, Cumberland to right.
Helmstetters Curve from engine
Westbound CSX from WMSR, EAST END OF Narrows