Spring Gap/B157.4

Spring Gap was most likely named after the WM because of the deep cut that the railraod created here to cut through a small river bend. There was a highway overpass located here up until 1996, when it was removed. There was also a 546ft. side track here that was used to store MofW equipment and camp cars. The rails were still intact here after the West Sub was taken out of service in 1975. The rails were pulled up during the widening of the highway west of here along the passing siding at North Branch. The WM right-of-way at Spring Gap is now owned by the C&O Canal National Park.

This was the WM overpass of MD Rt.51 at Spring Gap in October 1995. The overpass was in excellent condition and still read Western Maryland Railway clearly when it was torn down by September, 1996 because of it low highway clearence.

Click the above photo to read a study and report that was done on the WM overpass at Spring Gap before its removal.

Looking atop the right of way first west then east. The brush has really began to grow up. (10/95)

Another view of WM bridge No. 157.5 at Spring Gap. This photo is from the northern side of the bridge

A eastbound Western Maryland freight train has just crossed the bridge over MD. Rt. 51 and is about to enter Spring Gap. The train is being pulled by WM Potomac 4-8-4 #1401. These locomotives were named after the river by with they followed. These Potomacs were used often on the West Sub until being retired and replaced with diesel locomotives. These locomotives were employee favorites but were in service for only 7 years before being cut up for scrap! In 2003 I took a similar photo from the same camera angle as in 1959. My car is on the former mainline where 4-8-4 #1401 once ran. (April 1959, photo by Bill Price and 2-4-03)

This was a popular photo location for famous Wm photographer Bill Price. The WM is on the right and the C&O Canal can be seen on the left. (2-4-03)

Looking east into the cut at Spring Gap on Feburary 4, 2003.

Deep in the cut the trees are still small from the lack of sunlight during most of the day. This shot is looking west. (Oct. 1995)

Bill Price has caught another WM easbound lead by a Potomac as it exits Spring Gap in October 1952. Much later on Feburary 4, 2003, the tracks are gone and have been replaced with trees. This is the same photo location as in the first photo at the eastern end of Spring Gap. (Oct. 1952 and Feb. 2003)

Just as the WM exits the east end of the cut at Spring Gap, it travels through an number of small cuts along the C&O Canal to Oldtown. (2-4-03)

I came upon this WM tell-tale still standing to my amazement first in October 1995 when the trees were still pretty thick. On Feburary 4, 2003 I hiked east from Spring Gap to Oldtown. I took another photo of the tell-tale. This once warned crewmen walking atop freight cars of a nearby overhead clearence.

At this location in the 1950's a wooden overpass once carried a road over the railroad. The tell-tales to the west and east were for this bridge. It appears it was used by a farmer to access a field but I would think there would of had to be more business here for needs to cross the WM on a bridge. Maybe there was some sort of rail traffic for the EM at one time. The second photo shows the remains of the eastern tell-tale. Only one side of the rails that once supported the tell-tale remain standing today. (2-4-03)

A WM signal base just east of the cut at Spring Gap. This was westbound signal number 157.0. (2-4-03)

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