Explore The Scenic Line

Route of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

Come join us for a serene trip through the mountains of Allegany County aboard vintage passenger cars behind steam engine no. 1309 or our historic diesel locomotive fleet. You will experience a 4.5-hour round trip that begins and ends at the historic depot in downtown Cumberland. During the trip, we will take a 90-minute break in the charming mountain town of Frostburg, which will give you time to explore the shops and restaurants on Main Street.

Map of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad route from Cumberland to Frostburg with station names along the red railway line, including Cumberland Station and Frostburg Depot, over a black background and red border.

POINTS OF INTEREST

POINTS OF INTEREST

A vintage black steam train arriving at Cumberland station with white smoke billowing from its chimney, under a partly cloudy sky.

Cumberland Station

The historic Western Maryland Cumberland Station was built by the original Western Maryland Railway in 1913 on top of the decommissioned Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. The Western Maryland operated passenger service through to Chicago and Elkins, West Virginia from the station until 1959. Afterward, the station fell into disrepair and was used to store tires for a time.

The station was given a new lease on life when the city of Cumberland purchased it for one dollar and began a renovation process in preparation for the creation of a new heritage railroad, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.

Today, the station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is proud to call it home. Learn more about our stations and how to get to them here.

A steam train traveling through a mountainous landscape with colorful autumn trees and a river.

The Narrows

Just west of Cumberland is the famous Narrows between Willis Mountain and Haystack Mountain. This gap provides the route for Western Maryland to begin its journey from Cumberland to Frostburg and is a popular spot for photographers to take pictures of the train. While riding through the Narrows you’ll spot Willis Creek and on the other side of the gap, the CSX mainline.

Once exiting the other side of the Narrows, the line crosses the truss bridge with the Great Allegheny Passage Trail.

A scenic landscape with a black steam train traveling on a curved railway track amid green fields, trees, houses, and hills in the background.

Helmstetter’s Curve

Formerly a trestle bridge, Helmstetter’s Curve offers a spectacular view of Cash Valley and the old Hemstetter Farm that the track almost encircles. The curve has achieved legendary status as a famous photograph spot for former and current. Western Maryland trains traversing it.

When riding on one of our excursions, be sure to give a big wave to Farmer Rob who currently owns the old Helmstetter Farmstead.

A black train emerging from a tunnel labeled 'Brush 1911' with autumn leaves around the entrance.

Brush Tunnel

Built in 1911, Brush Tunnel is 914 feet long and was built wide enough to accommodate two tracks for the main line of the Western Maryland Railway.

Today, the tunnel carries the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the parallel Great Allegheny Passage Trail.

A vintage steam train emits black smoke as it travels through a rural, wooded landscape with hills in the background.

Mount Savage Overlook

High above the village of Mount Savage, the Western Maryland hugs the side of the Alleghenies as it works its way uphill towards Frostburg. As you look towards the right side of the train, you’ll see the the location of where the first rolled iron rails in the United States were manufactured in 1844. Formerly one of the largest towns in Maryland, Mount Savage housed a yard and shops for the Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad (C&P).

A black steam locomotive with the number 1309 on the front, pulling a train across a green and stone bridge, emitting thick white smoke and steam amid leafless trees.

Former C&P Bridges

Just below Frostburg are two girder bridges of the former Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad. These were built to cross over the old Western Maryland Railway mainline. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad utilizes the former C&P line to enter Frostburg. These two bridges are popular with photographers for photos of our steam locomotives tackling the last grade before entering Frostburg.

A vintage black steam locomotive train is on the tracks in front of the Frostburg train station, which has a red building with a sign labeled "Frostburg," surrounded by green trees under a blue sky.

Frostburg Station

Arriving at Frostburg, passengers are greeted by the former Cumberland & Pennsylvania (C&P) Frostburg Station. Built in 1891, the station saw service between the Cumberland and Piedmont, West Virginia on the C&P and connected the town to the much larger Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Cumberland.

Today, the station has been restored to its former glory and serves passengers on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Beyond the station is a turntable and the tunnel that used to continue the line under the town of Frostburg and points west. Passengers can enjoy live music and walk up the hill to Main Street to explore shops and restaurants on their layover.

Learn more about our depots and directions to them here.