BALTIMORE & OHIO

This page will cover the Cumberland, Maryland area.  Cumberland was basically the heart of the former B&O.  Located at the point where the mainlines head either toward Pittsburgh and Chicago or west into the coal fields of West Virginia, Cincinnati and St. Louis.  The railroads main shops were there (still are under CSX!) along with a major classification yard.  My first visit was on a quiet Sunday in September 1974.  Enjoy.

Gathered around the turntable and former roundhouse was terrific collection of first generation EMD motive power.

  A very clean classic GP40 takes a spin on the table.

      The hostler is rearranging this set of units.

  A beautifully re-painted E8A was being serviced prior to its return to Washington, D.C. on the Blue Ridge.
This was a former Seaboard Coast Line unit.

  This old coach was converted into a "Automated Locomotive Test Center", whatever that was.

All of the above photos were taken on September 15, 1974.
( While I lucked out by being able to walk around freely, please refrain from doing this today. )

  Another visit a few years later has the Western Maryland now using the B&O facility instead of their own.
March 26, 1976. 

  This F7 B-unit was still in service.  3-8-1975.

  This line of EMD F-units were all out of service and no doubt ready to head to the scrap heap.  3-8-1975.

  A newly painted GP38 in bright Chessie colors.  Sorry about the quality.

  GP9 and a SD9 work yard.  10-14-1980.

  Another SD9 works a cut of cars in the yard.  10-15-1980.

       Early morning at Virginia Avenue

  GP38 3840 waits by the cabin at Virginia Ave.  October 16, 1980.

  A string of 27 stored and probably retired GP9's and GP7's sit quietly.

    In the late evening hours a heavy coal train works hard to get moving eastbound.

  Behind that heavy eastbound is another, this one needed a little help from the yard switcher to get started.
Eastbound coal train led by 3736 gets a hand.  If you continue onto the Sand Patch grade page this train can be seen there.

As noted above, the two mainlines split at Viaduct Jct. in downtown Cumberland. 

To continue west on the main over Sand Patch grade toward Pittsburgh, click here....

The main to West Virginia will follow soon.

Back to the B&O main page, click here.....