It's July 1978, and this westbound set of mty "coal cars" (in B&O parlance) is rounding the sweeping curve at Pinto, MD not far out of Cumberland. The WM #7548 isn't on home rails, but isn't too far away as the WM's Thomas Sub is running adjacent to the B&O here. Despite the tracks still being in place between Maryland Jct and 21st, and a nice r/w/b leader, elsewhere the Kitten is sinking it's claws into the remains of the Western Maryland system by this date. Photo by Walter Schopp, JL Sessa collection.

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It's November 3rd, 1980 and this loaded grain train is climbing eastbound at Gaithersburg, MD. The train is seen just after having passed the signals at "Wards" (named for a local station agent and merchant), and is crossing Chestnut St. This is the second eastbound grade on the B&O's Metropolitan Sub, and extends from Great Seneca Creek up to Summit Ave in downtown Gaithersburg. No doubt there is a pair of helpers assisting, which will cut off on the fly at Summit Ave before getting permission to proceed lite westbound. After cresting the grade, WM 7548 will have the task of holding the train back, as it's all downhill to Rock Creek, a distance of about 10 miles. Photo by Joe Van Hoorebeke, JL Sessa collection.

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As MARC commuter service continued to expand, borrowed equipment was the norm from the mid 1980s to the mid 90s until enough equipment was purchased to keep the services going. Here we see the Western Maryland's last GP40 teamed up with unpowered MDOT 7100 with a westbound afternoon run. The train has just gone through Washington Grove, and is passing Wayne Feeds. My grandfather recalls the mill being a frequent childhood "playground" for him and his friends. Just ahead and around the bend is Gaithersburg. This slide only has a processing date of May 1986, and no photographer information JL Sessa collection.

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It's April 26th 1986, and this brace of helpers is returning west at Gaithersburg, MD. They have finished shoving an eastbound up the Met, and have just used the hand throw crossover immediately west of the Summit Ave grade crossing to get back over to #1 track. The hand throw crossover became obsolete after the Met was reconfigured to 261 in 1991 and Derwood became a dispatcher controlled interlocking. Notice the beginnings of the new Frederick Ave/Rt 355 overpass taking shape in the background. The siding in the foreground was used to to enter the wye where steam helpers were turned before heading west, as well as provided access to Gaithersburg Lumber and Southern States. Behind the B&O GP40 is "Roy's Place" which was famous for a menu of over-the-top sandwhiches, but has since closed and become a Mexican restaurant. Photo by A.D. Saleker, JL Sessa collection.

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This slide is completely unmarked, aside from being labeled "Cumberland" and having a October 1977 processing date. 7151 looks like it has been freshened up for an event, possibly an excursion along with GM50. JL Sessa collection.

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