Westbound at Helmstetter's Curve. Pounding upgrade in the hills west of Cumberland, a Western Maryland Freight negotiates the iconic horseshoe curve that has assumed the name of the family whose farm sits squarely in the middle of it. Built just after the turn of the 20th Century, the track at Helmstetter's Curve was laid on a massive steel trestle, which was then surrounded with fill taken from some of the cuts on the line as they were excavated. When the Western Maryland Railway was active, this location was a very busy route for freight traffic. Today, the only traffic it sees are the tourist trains of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.....and the occasional photo charter. A debt of gratitude is owed to John Helmstetter, the current owner of the farm, for his continuing hospitality, in allowing charter patrons to obtain photos such as this one from the confines of his property.
Thanks for viewing This album contains all kinds of western Maryland pictures Note I'm always trying to add some new photos to this album So hopefully the next time you visit there should be some new stuff
