Steam Saturday: Mixing it Up on the WMSR Steam Specials

This is the second in a series of posts about steam specials on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.

During these photo specials, photo locations from previous charters had set ups and even train directions worked differently.

For example, Helmstetter’s Curve had been previously in mid to late afternoon on the outside of the curve from the hillside.

The top photograph was made in the morning on the inside of the curve on Mr. Helmstetter’s farm property with his permission on Oct. 20, 2003.

The next photography was made on Oct. 17, 2005, at the same location in the morning but with the train heading eastbound.

Photographers always respected the property because none of these photos would have been possible without Mr. Helmstetter’s generosity.

Also in 2005, was a runby site on the usual hillside at the curve in the afternoon.

At Brush tunnel the runby was done blasting out of the east portal.

After we made photographs at this location the train returned to Cumberland in late morning to turn No. 734 for the rest of the day facing west.

Photo five was made on Oct. 20, 2003, at Sunnyside. Photo six was made on Oct. 17, 2005 at Sunnyside.

The last image shows the train is now on the former Cumberland & Pennsylvania passing over the Western Maryland right of way.

Photographs by Edward Ribinskas

Tags: Edward Ribinskas photograhs, steam locomotives, steam photo specials, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad