Cumberland Subdivision

Here you will find facts relating to the Cumberland Subdivision as well as links to various websites and a photo gallery.

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TUNNELS:
The Cumberland Subdivision has five tunnels along it’s route. They are as follows:

• Harper’s Ferry – BA 81.3 – 927 ft
• Randolph – BA 142.0 – 1,015 ft
• Stuart – BA 144.5 – 3,355 ft
• Graham – BA 145.8 – 1,592 ft
• Carothers – BA 147.7 – 993 ft

PASSENGER SERVICE:
Amtrak’s Capitol Limited travels this route with stops at Harpers Ferry and Martinsburg, WV also MARC Train’s Brunswick Line provides passenger service to Harpers Ferry, Duffields and Martinsburg, WV via this line.

HISTORY:
The Subdivision began life in 1842 as part of the Baltimore and Ohio’s main line, In 1914 the B&O opened the Magnolia Cutoff a more direct route through mountain ridges. Running 4 miles between Hansrote and Paw Paw, West Virginia. The project included construction of four tunnels (Randolph, Stuart, Graham, Carothers), Two bridges (Magnolia, Kessler) and many deep rock cuts. The B&O continued to use the original route along the Potomac River called the “Lowline” until 1961. CSX Continues to use the original route along the Potomac River from West Cumbo to Cherry Run, West Virginia called the “Lo-Grade”. The entire B&O system was merged into CSX in 1987.

RAILFANNING:
Shenandoah Junction, in the panhandle of West Virginia, is a great train watching spot with Norfolk Southern, CSX, Amtrak and MARC trains. This is where the CSX Cumberland Sub ex-Baltimore and Ohio main line from Washington, DC passes under the Norfolk Southern’s Hagerstown District ex-Norfolk and Western former Roanoke to Hagerstown line. These are two very busy lines. While the NS is freight only, the CSX line carries Amtrak’s “Capitol Limited” and MARC commuter trains. Both lines feature much intermodal traffic and the CSX carries everything from general freight to autos, coal, coke and ethanol. Run through power and leased units add to the variety of action.

PHOTOS:

• Cumberland Subdivision Galleria