Western Maryland Rail Trail

Western Maryland Rail Trail
Name	Western Maryland Rail Trail
Location	Allegany County, Maryland, United States
Length mi	22
Trailheads	Cumberland, Maryland; Frostburg, Maryland; Corridor H
Use	Hiking; Cycling; Horseback riding
Surface	Asphalt; Crushed stone
Established	1990s
Managed by	Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Allegany County, Maryland

Contents

Western Maryland Rail Trail

The Western Maryland Rail Trail is a 22-mile converted rail corridor in Allegany County, Maryland connecting Cumberland, Maryland and Frostburg, Maryland. The trail follows a former mainline corridor of the Western Maryland Railway and intersects historic transportation routes such as the National Road (U.S. Route 40), the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and the Great Allegheny Passage. It is used for multi-modal recreation and links to regional heritage sites including the C&O Canal Towpath, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, and the George Washington National Forest.

Route and description

The corridor begins near Cumberland, Maryland close to the Allegany County Courthouse and runs generally northwest through valleys adjacent to the North Branch Potomac River and tributaries that feed into the Potomac River. The paved and crushed-stone treadway passes former depots and sidings associated with the Western Maryland Railway Hall of Fame, crosses over historic structures like the New Creek Bridge alignment, and skirts landmarks such as Rocky Gap State Park, Frostburg State University, and the industrial remnants of M & C Railroad operations. The trail interfaces with regional trails including the Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland, the Great Allegheny Passage, and municipal pathways in LaVale, Maryland and Mount Savage, Maryland, providing access to Interstate 68 and the historic National Road (U.S. Route 40) corridor.

The route occupies right-of-way originally built by predecessors of the Western Maryland Railway in the 19th century to serve coalfields near Cumberland, Maryland and communities such as Mount Savage, Maryland and Frostburg, Maryland. The original line competed with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and integrated with regional networks including the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal freight transshipment points and the Erie Railroad connections. Decline in steam-era freight and consolidation under Chessie System and later CSX Transportation led to abandonment in the late 20th century. Local advocacy from entities like the Allegany County Commission, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and heritage organizations such as the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad promoted rail-trail conversion consistent with precedents set by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and state programs modeled on the C&O Canal National Historical Park corridor preservation.

Initial planning involved federal and state funding mechanisms including allocations under transportation programs prioritizing inactive corridors and brownfield repurposing used elsewhere by the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration. Design and surfacing were contracted to regional firms and coordinated with the Maryland Historical Trust to protect archaeological resources near early industrial sites like Mount Savage Iron Works and the George's Creek Coalfield. Phased construction built segments from Cumberland, Maryland toward Frostburg, Maryland with bridges, drainage, and signage following guidelines from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and standards similar to projects by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Community partners including Frostburg State University and local historic societies assisted adaptive reuse of depots and right-of-way easements through negotiation with CSX Transportation and county landholders.

The trail supports bicycling enthusiasts from clubs such as the Allegany County Bicycle Club and endurance events modeled after national rides connected to organizations like Adventure Cycling Association and regional chapters of the League of American Bicyclists. Hikers and runners from groups affiliated with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and equestrians utilize designated sections, while interpretive signage highlights themes tied to the Industrial Revolution in the United States, Appalachian coal heritage at George’s Creek, and transportation history displayed by institutions like the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum. Annual community events coordinate with the Allegany County Health Department and tourism offices of Maryland Department of Tourism to promote trail-based economic activity in Cumberland, Maryland, Frostburg, Maryland, LaVale, Maryland, and neighboring boroughs.

The corridor traverses habitats characteristic of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians with flora and fauna similar to those in the Potomac Highlands and adjacent sections of the George Washington National Forest. Users encounter hardwood forests with species represented in collections at the Smithsonian Institution and avian populations monitored by local chapters of the Audubon Society. Aquatic ecosystems in tributaries connect to the Potomac River watershed and support macroinvertebrate communities studied by researchers affiliated with Frostburg State University and the U.S. Geological Survey. Conservation partners including the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and non-profits like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation work to mitigate runoff, invasive plants cataloged by the United States Department of Agriculture, and habitat fragmentation issues similar to those addressed by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Operational oversight is shared by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Allegany County, Maryland with volunteer stewardship from civic groups, service organizations such as AmeriCorps, and campus volunteers from Frostburg State University. Routine maintenance follows protocols akin to those advocated by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the American Trails organization, addressing pavement preservation, drainage, signage, and seasonal safety coordinated with the Maryland Department of Transportation. Funding streams include state appropriations, park bonds, and grants from entities like the National Park Service's historic preservation programs and private foundations that supported adaptive reuse of rail corridors across the United States.