Return of a Legend
September 19, 2026
For the first time in three years, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad GP30 No. 501 returns to the rails—and she’s stepping into the spotlight after dark.
Join us during Maryland Railfest 2026 for the Fireball Photo Experience, an exclusive night photo shoot featuring WMSR No. 501 in a setting built specifically for railroad photographers. As darkness settles over Cumberland, No. 501 will be staged under dramatic lighting, creating an unforgettable opportunity to capture this classic EMD in her long-awaited return to service.
No. 501 has been a familiar sight on the WMSR for decades, making thousands of trips between Cumberland and Frostburg before being taken out of service in 2023. After an extensive rewire and years of work, she is finally ready to roam the mountain once again.
Now, three years later, No. 501 is back.
The Fireball Photo Experience puts photographers up close to the action, with carefully staged scenes designed to showcase the locomotive from multiple angles. Watch as her headlights pierce the darkness, her marker lights glow against the night, and dramatic lighting brings out every detail of this iconic GP30.
Whether you're a seasoned railroad photographer, a serious enthusiast, or simply someone who loves the atmosphere of a locomotive working after dark, this is a rare opportunity to photograph No. 501's return to the rails in a setting you won't soon forget.
Conemaugh’s Last Chance
May 9th, 2026
Photographers will board in Cumberland, with multiple locations selected to maximize variety and lighting throughout the day. Each setup is designed with photographers in mind—runbys, static scenes, and immersive compositions that highlight the character of this historic locomotive.
Your experience also includes a ride aboard the Frostburg Flyer, complete with a voucher for $10 from the snack car on board—a perfect mid-day break to relax, review your shots, and connect with fellow photographers.
After returning from the Frostburg Flyer, a few more evening scenes will take place. Additional equipment may join select scenes.
From the quiet, fog-laced morning to the glow of golden hour, the Fireball Photo Experience is designed to capture the soul of an era that’s rapidly fading—one last time before history changes.
Step into a scene that feels pulled straight from the industrial heart of America—smoke hanging low, steel echoing in the distance, and a lone switcher coming to life at dawn.
The Fireball Photo Experience brings you face-to-face with Conemaugh & Black Lick No. 111—one of the last surviving examples of a Bethlehem Steel paint scheme still wearing its industrial heritage with pride. This isn’t just a photo event, it’s a living tribute to the grit and atmosphere of a working steel town.
This will be your final opportunity to photograph No. 111 in its current paint. Immediately following this event, the locomotive will enter the paint booth, making this the last public appearance of this iconic Bethlehem Steel look before it’s gone.
We’ll begin at sunrise, chasing that unmistakable early morning mood—soft fog, muted light, and the quiet rumble of a locomotive waking up the yard. Carefully staged scenes will recreate the feeling of a steel mill town at first light, offering photographers the chance to capture No. 111 in an environment that feels authentic, raw, and timeless.
Throughout the day, No. 111 will be working with freight cars, building period-accurate scenes inspired by Johnstown, Pennsylvania’s steel industry roots. From gritty switching moves to classic industrial compositions, every setup is designed to reflect the look and feel of a working mill railroad in its prime.
Cumberland Clown Show
January 16th, 2026
The Fireball Photo Experience at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad returns featuring the newly painted B32-8 No. 561, leading a matching Western Maryland “Circus” passenger train as photographers capture runbys along the Allegheny climb between Cumberland and Frostburg. Participants will enjoy climate-controlled passenger cars, dramatic mountain scenery, and a taste of mountain railroading, with a turntable spin in Frostburg offering photo angles in both directions, and a night photo session to follow, with 561 and SW7 no. 111, weather permitting, professionally lit by Railroad & Railroad Magazine!
Scenic Line Secret
September 13th, 2025
We gathered at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for a special two-hour night photoshoot that unveiled B32-8 No. 561 in its brand-new, secret paint scheme, posed with matching equipment. Professionally lit by Railfan & Railroad Magazine, the fully static scenes provided ideal conditions for photographers of all skill levels. Attendees captured dramatic, period-inspired images and were among the first to document this exciting reveal under the stars.
Osborn Yard Locomotive
June 28, 2025
Western Maryland SD40 No. 7496, the last surviving locomotive in CSX’s iconic “Stripe” paint scheme, is currently in storage at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. This photo event featured CSX 4621, WMSR 501, and a run by from steam locomotive 1309.