CUMBERLAND, MD
Photo by Mobilus In Mobili, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Western Maryland Scenic Railway
About Western Maryland Scenic Railway
Steam‑powered excursions travel the historic Western Maryland line between Cumberland and Frostburg, threading the Cumberland Narrows, the Allegheny Front and Jennings Run water gap before arriving at Frostburg’s former depot. The rebuilt 2‑6‑6‑2 Mallet No. 1309 heads each regular train, while a seasonal Polar Express operation adds a festive winter offering. Departures originate at the 1913 Western Maryland Railway Station, whose historic setting anchors the scenic journey.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- CUMBERLAND, MD
- Rating
- 4.6 ★ 2,976 Google reviews
- Upcoming
- Fri, Jul 17
Upcoming Events
Plan Your Visit
- Parking
- Free lot · paid lot · street parking
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Hours
- Monday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: ClosedThursday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PMFriday: 12:00 – 9:00 PMSaturday: 12:00 – 9:00 PMSunday: 12:00 – 7:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad runs standard‑gauge excursion trains between its Cumberland terminal—originating at the 1913 Western Maryland Railway Station—and the former Cumberland & Pennsylvania depot in Frostburg, following the historic WM alignment through the Cumberland Narrows and up the Allegheny Front. Its active motive power includes the rebuilt 2‑6‑6‑2 Mallet steam locomotive No. 1309, the former Illinois Central 2‑8‑0 LS&I No. 34 restored to service, and two ex‑Western Maryland EMD GP9 diesel units numbered 25 and 39, while the historic steam engines Nos. 1238 and 1286 are retained for special operations. The railroad’s passenger fleet comprises restored lightweight coaches painted in green and gold, many bearing local town names, and it also maintains three cabooses—two ex‑Chesapeake & Ohio and one ex‑Western Maryland—along with assorted freight cars and a former Chessie System crane for maintenance and photo‑freight trips.
History
The heritage railway was established to operate passenger tourist excursions.
The railroad commenced public tourist excursions using steam engine No. 734.
The railway completed restoration on articulated steam locomotive number 1309.
See full history
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad originates from a late‑1980s joint effort in which Allegany County contributed $585,000, the city of Cumberland $2,470,560 and the city of Frostburg $338,427 to purchase the abandoned Cumberland‑Frostburg branch and to acquire the former WM shops in Ridgeley, West Virginia, a 1913 Cumberland station and an 1891 wooden depot in Frostburg. From 1988 to 1991 the line was operated under contract by the Allegany Central Railroad, which ran steam locomotives No. 1238 and No. 1286, before the Scenic Railroad Development Corporation reorganized as the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) in 1991 to run its own equipment. In January 1992 the WMSR bought LS&I No. 34 from the Illinois Railway Museum and restored it to operating condition by July 1993. On 24 August 2021 the railroad appointed Wesley Heinz as executive director, a change that led to the completion of the restoration of locomotive No. 1309 and to higher ridership and revenue. In January 2024 the WMSR announced a long‑term lease of the 14‑mile Georges Creek Railway, planning to revitalize the trackage and eventually operate it as a separate Georges Creek Division.
Around the Depot
From Cumberland, Maryland, the Western Maryland Scenic Railway pairs with the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad about 20 mi away.
Canal Place Historical ParkMuseum·★ 4.6 (47)1 min walkDirections →Cumberland Visitor CenterAttraction·★ 4.6 (410)1 min walkDirections →GAP/C&O junctionPark·★ 5 (22)1 min walkDirections →"Great Allegheny Passage Mile 0 Cumberland, Maryland" MarkerAttraction·★ 4.5 (8)1 min walkDirections →C&O Canal National Historical ParkPark·★ 4.7 (16)1 min walkDirections →National Road MonumentAttraction·★ 5 (6)1 min walkDirections →Beginning of the Old National PikeAttraction·★ 5 (1)2 min walkDirections →Cumberland Gateway WestwardAttraction·★ 5 (2)2 min walkDirections →
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities near Cumberland
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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