Here is some of my collection of photos from this area. I also have some pics of the South Branch Valley and if anyone else has pics related to this area please post them on here. These pics are from Cumberland, MD. The Holiday Inn provides a great train watching spot if interested in spending the night at Cumberland. I think rooms are like $80/ night. All of these pics were taken from riding amtrak eastbound.
Hancock HO Tower was still standing when i passed it on amtrak in august 2007, it was closed and torn down several months later. Plus the freight depot at Hancock. Last pic is Harpers Ferry, WV
Harpers Ferry, WV more pics of the depot and bridges from august 2007. For this train trip i took the capitol limited amtrak train from Pittsburgh, PA to Harpers Ferry, WV. This was a daylight trip that lasted about six hours. The i got off the train at Harpers Ferry and railfanned the town till the westbound amtrak capitol limited arrived. I had five hours to railfan the area, it was a lot of fun and i would recommend it to anyone.
Harpers Ferry, WV more pics of the depot. last pic is of the westbound capitol limited sitting in Pittsburg, PA union terminal after my trip had ended.
Potomac Eagle Excursion This train operates on the South Branch Valley Railroad. I rode this train in October 2006.
I enjoyed the pictures. My Grandfather lived in Keyser, WV and I would always stop in at the Potomac Eagle "depot" in Romney on my way to visit him. Never rode it though unfortunately.
Well ive been to Keyser, WV too, here is a pic i have of the old tower/station there in 2006. I think i heard that CSX recently demolished it , can anyone verify this?
Hancock Some more pics at Hancock of HO tower , the freight depot and the yard. These pics were taken in 2006 and since then the tower was closed down and demolished plus the color position light signal bridge was replaced with more modern signals.
A fun railfan trip! Explored the ex B&O Magnolia Cutoff from Paw Paw, WV to the Orleans Crossroads in WV. you can continue following this line to Hancock if you want. I recommend to access this website: http://mtnsub.org/cumberland/c-r-ch03.html you can get detailed traveling directions to railfan this line. These pics are from the west portal of Randolph tunnel and the color position lights east of Randolph Tunnel. The pic with the gravel road and the rock cut are actually the original B&O main right of way that was replaced with the creation of Magnolia Cutoff. I heard that the old main was double track along with new main being double track and until i think the 1950's this was a 4 track main through here.
Magnolia Cutoff Pics.... Randolph Tunnel pics.......I wish i would have taken more pics here but i was trying out my new video camera most of the time.
Orleans Crossroads I didnt see any trains when i was at this spot but i did take in a pic of the overhead signal bridge. This is also where my expedition ended of the Magnolia Cutoff.
