Spring Charter on the WMSR

Over the weekend of 4/30-5/1 I attended yet another photo charter on the WMSR. ; Spring charters are rare since most of the operators tend to favor winter and fall trips on this line so it was an easy decision to go. ; It was also a fundraiser to help restore an original Western Maryland Railway caboose in memory of Richard Markle, a longtime conductor on the WMSR after retiring from a long career as conductor with the B&O, Chessie, CSX and Amtrak. ; More on that later... ; Here's the shots from Saturday:

City Junction. ; At one time, three railroads converged in this location. ; Now its just one track and a bike trail:



Westbound in the Narrows:



Helmstetter's Curve:





West Helmstetters:



West Sunnyside:



C&P Bridge #2:



Frostburg Approach:

 

Sunday was overcast with some light rain which combined with an unusually small group allowed us to try some new and rarely used locations in addition to the usual spots. ;

MP 168.5 (just West of Dakota St.):





Brush Tunnel East Portal:



and Brush Tunnel West Portal:



MP 179.1 (just East of #9 Curve):



The inside of #9 Curve:



The WMSR was also nice enough to allow cab rides during the charter:

The stoker was broken, so the fireman got quite a workout:



The engineer in training also got a good test of his skills with a heavy train, slick rails:

 

I bet you have enough photos for some Four Season composites. ;

 

And last but not least, the reason for the photo charter. ; This is the Western Maryland Caboose that is being restored in memory of Conductor Markle. ; As I said earlier, he had a long railroad career and continued to serve as the senior conductor on the WMSR right up until his death at the age of 82, just days after completing the WMSR 2009 season. ; Several members of the Markle family made the trip to Cumberland to dedicate the caboose:



The caboose was damaged in a switching accident several years ago and needed significant work to make it operational again. ; At the time of the charter, the restoration work was nearing completion on the exterior with only small amounts of lettering missing. ; The interior is still a work in progress, but when it is done it will feature several photos of Conductor Markle at work on the WMSR and it will house a display case with the conductor's jacket and hat. ;

 

nice work Mike...really like that fireman shot with his face glowing

 

Almost. ; Since summer photos are next to impossible because of the time of the day that they run and the sun angles the best you can really do is a three season composite, but surprisingly enough, I don't have photos of any location in all three seasons.

 

Thanks Paul!

 

I really love your railroad shots Michael! ; They are amazing each time. ; I love the one with the train coming into the tunnel!

 

As ususal, these are GREAT!! ; Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks guys!

 

Mike these pics are
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

 

Howie made a Disney reference, atta boy?

 

yea Imagine that not having been to disney since 1974

I had to use a word to describe Michaels train pics that hadn't been used 100 times already

 

Thanks Howie!

 

I don't think they need to be in the same location. ; The same train for sure.

 

Thanks!