Does the Western Maryland have any hope of attracting actual freight customers to the line, or extending the line to attract this income?
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At the present time no. Probably never in the future, I would say. The line is a closed 15.6 mile climb from Cumberland to Frostburg, with no industry that cannot be easier
handled by truck.
Ed
Never say never. Keep in mind tracks were re-installed on the Montour RR/bike trail to service Marcellus Shale Gas facilities. I believe Marcellus and Utica shale extends to that area. Exploration, Green and Washington Counties. PA, is extensive. Though rail is an interim transportation until infrastructure (pipelines) is/are in place. It has been interesting to see the investment done on the old Montour RR/bike trail. 
Maryland also has access to Deep water ports for export. Current speculation also shows interest in building "cracker plants" in the shale gas areas.
wow! 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas lines in the rock, near the rail line? shouldn't that read as "500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas deposits"?
either way I hope it can help to really lessen our dependence on foreign oil
Sounds like a lot of gas though it's just the equivalent output of one season of Pennsylvania Scrapple eating. 
