Exploring the ABANDONED Georges Creek Railway

The Georges Creek Railway (GCK) was a unique railroad. In the roughly 12 years it operated, the railroad never regularly ran trains over its own line. Instead, it exclusively performed switching operations at a nearby papermill in Luke, Maryland along CSX trackage. Once the paper mill closed, and with no customers on their own rails, the Georges Creek Railway shut down. Different parts of he line have laid dormant for 6 to 20+ years.
In November, I set out to document the state of the Georges Creek Railway. I got shots all the way down the line in small coal communities like Westernport, Midland, and Barton. The line was built for the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad and has seen ownership under Western Maryland, Chessie, and CSX, allowing for plenty of history to find along the rails.
Yesterday, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad announced plans to revitalize the Georges Creek line and operate passenger and freight trains on these forgotten rails. While the tracks laid dilapidated when I took these shots just two months ago, it won't be long before these scenes of abandonment are once again filled with the rumble of a passing train.
This is a new series I'm starting up and will be dropping new episodes throughout 2024. I already have the first four recorded and I'm super excited to explore more abandoned railroads!
Vintage Footage: • CSX Georges Creek Sub:...

[@railsideproductions]

Abandoned no more!! As I was working on this video, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad announced they will be reactivating this line. It will be interesting to see what they can do and on what timeline. Based on the washouts, inadequate road crossing infrastructure, and paved over sections, I think it will be awhile before a train traverses this line in its entirety (but I hope they prove me wrong!).

[@richhood9934]

Awesome video, and I can't wait to see this line restored. It is definitely going to take a few years to restore the full line, and they might need to recruit some four-legged volunteers to do some conservation grazing on the overgrown sections. Although, some of the track looks pretty good, so maybe they can run some rail bikes or speeder car rides within the next year or two, and use funds from those trips towards the line's full restoration

[@CFRP.]

Awesome video, sad to see abandoned locos but I gotta say abandoned locos interest me, well maybe not any more it seems as they are reactiviting the line.

[@rodgodx345]

When will they start reactivating?

[@CaptainCrutch]

@@rodgodx345they’ve said they hope to be able to start tuning excursion trains on it by Christmas.

[@RailPreserver2K]

I hope they retain the existing locomotive still on the property

[@mdEAS175]

Thank you for documenting this! There’s basically nothing about this railroad on KZbin so it’s nice to see someone visit it.

[@railsideproductions]

i know! If you look on some of the railroad pictures sites you can find images of csx running along the line

[@intercityrailpal]

It was in Railpace Magazine and other publications of the Northeast on Trains. Trains Magazine too over the years.

[@spudpie8751]

Thank you for preserving local railroad history.

[@Bubbleb2]

Awesome video. We are locals. My husband is from Westernport. I saw one of the last trains to travel across 135 in Westernport. I also saw one of the last trains to travel through Westernport heading to the old Mill warehouse. If these tracks could just be brought back, sooner rather than later. The historical footage added in was a treat!

[@railsideproductions]

thats super cool!

[@garywotherspoon5037]

I used to drive through this area using it as a shortcut between Swanton and Cumberland. My imagination really kicked in crossing over these tracks as they weaved up the valley. I will make a point of exploring it when the weather breaks.

[@91_C4_FL]

Thanks for documenting this! It's a fascinating look at where the GCK is before the revitalization. Looking forward to what the WMSR does with it. And I'm excited to see your other abandoned railroad videos.

[@adventuresofaboatguy]

Great video! I really like the cut-ins of locomotives in action before it being abandoned.

[@shawnpowell5876]

Great video and thanks for documenting it as how things use to be. I personally enjoy watching these types of videos that tell a story or two and lets you imagine an era that trains were big here at one time thanks to Coal Mines! Cheers from Laurel, Delaware USA.

[@ChachaChapati]

Hopefully, the WMSR plans do indeed come to fruition. Seeing any line abandoned anywhere makes me sad.

[@mightyj5185]

agreeable

[@intercityrailpal]

Biden money makes projects like this come alive! It's in the infrastructure bill.

[@lablaine1981]

Railfan since 1949, St Paul MN 🥶, 💯...makes me sad also,Spurs every 5 blocks,#9 r.r.psssed thru MSP...just 🗣️

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

This is very well put together and comprehensive. I look forward to seeing more content like this. Keep up the good work.

[@shortliner68]

I was really surprised to learn the WestVaCo paper mill has been shut down for years now. I remember passing it on B&O and WM train excursions back in the '60s and '70s. It was such a huge industry and big rail customer I didn't think it would ever close up in my lifetime.

[@spaceflight1019]

There have been a lot of paper mills closures in the last several years. They are falling victim to a lethal combination of foreign imports and environmental restrictions. Google it.

[@garywotherspoon5037]

The plant was bought and sold numerous times as the demand for their products decreased. In their heyday, you could smell that wet cardboard smell for miles if the wind was right, even around Deep Creek. We always knew the wind was hauling from the east.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Truly fascinating. Thank you for sharing this. Very well presented. Some of those wash outs look rough. Beautiful area to have a tourist train.

[@Bidenforprison2024]

Sweet, it's always great to hear of a line getting saved/revived. Looks like they've got several paved over crossings to restore. Please keep us posted. 👍💯

[@daveshoemaker261]

It is sad to see history fade into the past like that but, I am glad that you are recording this for future generations to see.

[@benjaminpettis5468]

Great Video of this Abandoned Line & very glad these type lines will come back to life in 2024. Thanks for Sharing .

[@fishwithsj]

That Alco T6 is a real unicorn!

[@onrr1726]

It's and Ex Southern Pacific and it has a sister unit that was also aquired but left abandoned in Solvay, NY at a coal fired steam plant that's being dismantled

[@darinrace2426]

@@onrr1726 it also spent about 20 years as Black River and Western #56 in New Jersey. I grew up watching that locomotive pull trains

[@rossbryan6102]

A NICE LOOKING ALCO T6 SWITCHER!!

[@kennethfuller8347]

Very good informative video. I grew up a few miles west of Cumberland and I'm very familiar with this area. While living in NC the last 40 yrs., I still go up to visit my lifelong friends, one who lives in Midland, and the other in Frostburg. I've been a railfan since childhood because the railroads were a prominent industry in that area back in the day. As you stated, it will be interesting to see how WMSR revives this line, and one of the biggest hurdles will be fixing the wash-outs. Not an easy feat when battling mother nature. But yes, I was happy, and surprised to hear that WMSR acquired the rights to GCK. I look forward to seeing their progress on your channel. Thanks for a great , RP.

[@augustcanyon3438]

What a beautiful valley. The valley and the rail line are full of promise and opportunity for old-world construction, steam trains, and horse/carriage operations. I wish people could see the glorious possibilities around them and think beyond how they were taught.

[@jimikrentkowski4073]

Nice! Like to see rails come back to life!!

[@fleotusbing]

Great videography of this interesting piece of history. Crazy, that rail dated 1912. That's wonderful that it's going to be resurrected. Thanks for posting...that was neat!

[@brianfalzon6739]

The WMSR acquired that line and the locomotives too!

[@molossis]

I really hope while they work on the railroad, they keep the old crossings and get them working again. Some of those crossings look years or decades old.

[@railsideproductions]

YES! I would love to catch a train passing the unusually tall crossing signal north of Lonaconing

[@Cnw8701]

​@@railsideproductions What's the story behind that, anyway? Were they too lazy to install a cantilever?

[@molossis]

@@railsideproductions the crossing i thought was super interesting was at 6:58 if i ever come to maryland, im gonna railfan or tour this crossing. it looks like that signal has some sort of griswold or wig wag base.

[@jeeper360]

Console No. 10 mine was just the recent terminus. How about a part 2 with the abandoned portion between Console No. 10 mine and the current end of track in Frostburg?

[@davidmorris7696]

Planning a trip to the WMSR in the spring...glad they are getting some trackage!! New sub from WV!

[@Rhambama]

This is such a pleasant and relaxing video. Please do more like this!!

[@captainboing]

very nicely produced. I shouldn't watch this sort of vid first thing in the morning... puts me in a bad mood all day

[@TheNorthwestWind]

I go fish the Savage all the time from Ohio, and saw the mill/locomotive etc and was perplexed and enthralled. Came across your video by chance, so cool to truly connect the dots. Would love to take a scenic ride here

[@gamblinken]

This was a fantastic job. Great camera work and editing. Well done!

[@devincant6201]

Great movie and great news is that they are reactivating this line, as a railwayman my heart always rejoices when I hear that the railway is coming back like a phoenix

[@tommyhunter1817]

Allowing rail infrastructure to go to crap like that is insane. Even more insane, is allowing huge industries to shut down without having to return their sites to the natural state.

[@oldrustycars]

They let coal companies just do whatever they want. Tear up the environment and just walk away.

[@Pontiac1929]

Dose that mean that it’s free

[@paulmorgant208]

Thank you ,Daddy Bush and Bill Clinton for "offshoring" American manufacturing. Bastards!

[@Jason-rn4jk]

Who picks up the tab to maintain the rail line and crossings? Who picks up the tab to bulldoze, level, grade and replant the landscape on land that was invested into and now bankrupt.

[@bakerboat4572]

You do realize that demolition and regrading a site to remove ANY trace of development is inordinately expensive, right?

[@johnknippenberg-LandmarkYards]

Thanks for this video, it really shows the condition of the line and what will need to be done to restore service. 9 years of squatters probably doesn't help either.

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

Railroading aside, the loss of the mill was devastating to the area's economy. There are sure some interesting crossing protection devices and signs on that line! Before the 1983 full absorption by the B&O, this trackage was all Western Maryland.

[@Midnight-tw3gp]

Awesome video. I live about 30 mins from that line and relatively familiar with it. I worked a jobsite over the summer in the area where all of the construction equipment is in Midland. And in the Knapp's Meadow footage i actually ride my 4 wheeler on that path next to the tracks. Theres lots of history and beautiful scenery in that area and i absolutely love it up there. Thank you for documenting this.

[@BabbittdaWabbitt]

Nice vid. Well done. Natural soundscape is much better than narration in vids like this, IMHO.

[@thatairplaneguy]

The WM acquisition helps my heart. It’s a beautiful area and pulling the tail up would be more sad than watching it rust.

[@ssweeps]

The Chessie System paint scheme is my favorite.

[@JohnnysTrainVideos]

Great video. Thanks for making and sharing...

[@mikeslipper1779]

Lovely video.. enthralling.

[@edwardmarakovits]

A very informative video. Great Job!

[@mikedurhan9941]

Fascinating. Thanks.

[@tomroise9426]

Great news. Sad to see paper mill close. And the diesels abandoned. Great modeling pike!,

[@CaptainCrutch]

The diesels all have new owners!

[@kolejnakolej.1437]

Interesting video with exploration on this rail line. Good work. 👍

[@hiusey]

Superb video hope the revitalisation of the line goes well

[@matthewjshow6563]

Enjoyed the video. Cheers.

[@kennethtiller7916]

Great historic video- wish someone could have made a video of abandoned rail lines where I’m from- Florida panhandle

[@jdhinckley1954]

Great video, and story. Put on my RR/Urbex bucket list of places to go!

[@lawnmowerdude]

Subscribed! Want to see pictures and videos of it being brought back to life!

[@railsideproductions]

I’ll return as they begin to run trains along the line!

[@ollieosis7719]

Very nicely done 👍

[@wsor4030]

Excellent video!!

[@electrictractiontrainsandt3063]

Very interesting video Railside Productions! Subscribed to your channel!👍

[@Steve-xf4uv]

I can't believe they just left the equipment there and walked away !?!.

[@davebudrus46]

Awesome vid thank you

[@connorratliff5593]

Imagine the people that parked those engines for the last time.

[@kittty2005]

Did the coal mines play out? and the last I heard we don't have an over abundance of paper, heck switch to bathroom tissue, we still have occasional shortages up here in Northern LP of Michigan we don't have trains , just trucks.

[@RobertBailey-og1rf]

...Great video. Thank you!...

[@SilverBulletOBW]

It’ll be interesting to see how the WMSR will actually operate this when they get there. I don’t believe their line will be contiguous to their native trackage without making moves over CSX. Explaining this further… This George’s Creek branch actually used to connect to Frostburg and the WM Connellsville Sub north of Borden Shaft, by way of a short tunnel under town. Though that tunnel is extant (if you’re at Frostburg Depot and walk west past the turntable), to the immediate south of the portal are townhomes and then a giant fill over which I-68 passes. A possibly more feasible plan would be to re-lay the Thomas Subdivision east of Westernport (thru the Dawson, MD / Gerstell, WV area) and thru Rocket Center / Allegheny Ballistics back to Ridgeley at the south end of that yard. Regards!

[@joelchristensen9503]

Love the old signals

[@sernajrlouis]

Cool video and channel just subscribed

[@Steve-xf4uv]

I was just thinking it looked like a good subject for a tourist line when I saw your post about Western Maryland; hope they do it.

[@rudigerhasselmann3601]

ich finde es schade, dass funktionierende Bahnlinien / Bahnstrecken nicht genutzt werden. Auch in Deutschland sind sehr viele Strecken wegen unrentabilität stillgelegt worden. Und jetzt zieht man es in Betracht, diese wieder zu aktivieren. Und das kotet mehr Geld, als sie in einem einiger Maßen guten zustand zu halten. Und wenn es nur alle paar Monate einen Kontrollzug auf die Strecke zu schicken. Sehr schönes Video. Gruß aus Norddeutschland I think it's a shame that functioning railroad lines are not being used. In Germany, too, many lines have been shut down because they are unprofitable. And now people are considering reactivating them. And that costs more money than keeping them in reasonably good condition. Even if it's only to send a control train on the line every few months. Very nice video. Greetings from northern Germany

[@loritobin2578]

Alot of those cross bucks at the crossings look like old Milwaukee Road.

[@cameronsaville3942]

I’m curious about that old switcher sitting by the gp9s. What’s the history on it? Is it a former western Maryland railway locomotive?

[@JamesGordon-rz7nr]

A lot of American country history here.❤️

[@heatherjenkins1009]

I understand the line is being reactivated but it's sad That they had to leave the switches to rot

[@garywotherspoon5037]

I used to drive through this area all the time. Many defunct deep mines line the road. The only mine still active is a strip mine at the top of the hill near Rt. 68.

[@noelwarner1235]

At one time Delivered frieght in that area ,as well as to the papermill.I knew several people made a living there.When the mill closed it devasted the whole area and the people and other industries as well.I went by there a year or so ago and took a picture of the red switcher.So sad to see everything in the wood yard being scrapped.Hopefully the locomotives will be saved. Corprate America ,people do not matter.What a waste.

[@thegamingrhino5864]

how do they plan to connect the GCK to the rest of the WMSR system? The rails past frostburg to National have been ripped up. Are they going to lay down new ones?

[@chadieccoates6419]

At least the scenic RR could put this line back in use. The track would be in good shape after some ties get replaced.

[@oldcarzrule2527]

Great video. Never heard of this line before. What’s the story about those two Geeps? I hope they don’t get scrapped. I assume by the low number boards they were high hoods that had a cheap chop nose done to them.

[@railsideproductions]

they were owned by the GCK but were acquired by the western maryland scenic railway too

[@greglaplante7593]

So sad seeing all those lonely and abandoned locomotives and railroads

[@waldemarogandotrens.8063]

Registro muito interessante, e eu achando que só em meu país acontecesse abandonos e descaso com o patrimônio ferroviário, parabéns pela excelente abordagem com imagens fantásticas, saudações do Brazil 🇧🇷

[@danielfoster3642]

The railroad will come back to life by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. My guess is that the trains will start in Westernport, right over by McDonald's where the station is, and will head north to Locaconing and then back south to Westernport. Also, considering the fact that there have been talks about a rail trail along the route, and considering the success the WMSR has had with bikers on the Great Allegheny Passage riding the train from Cumberland to Frostburg, where the bikers would get off the train, get on their bikes and continue west on the bike trail to Meyersdale, Connellsville and Pittsburgh, I wonder if there would be room for a railroad track and a rail trail along the Georges Creek Railway right of way.

[@Cnw8701]

I wish there were more videos like this on KZbin documenting rail lines. I did something similar to a few abandoned railroad crossings on my channel (they're not as in-depth or atmospheric as your videos, though). No offense to Delay In Block Productions, but the guys who narrate their videos have some of the most annoying voices I've ever heard! Lol I enjoy their videos, but I wish they had either better narrators, or just subtitles. Great video!

[@kurt8986]

loved the video at 315 in

[@user-ss9ph6ou9n]

So sad that such a nice line has to be abandoned. Perhaps an excursion train during the Summer and Fall could bring in some income to these communities.

[@markfortin421]

Really nice video...but spooky! Other than a few cars passing through, there is not one person out. No kids out playing, nobody out in their yard? Every place you showed is neat and clean, yet where are the people? Was it Sunday? I still liked the video, all they need is a business or two to turn things around for this railroad.

[@railsideproductions]

actually yes both days I filmed this were sundays lol

[@urieloreos1405]

I'm interested in purchasing those abandoned locomotives. Any idea on who I can contact?

[@user-nl7we4fq1e]

I was just going to say before I read the previous comment; go to you local train clubs, history clubs ext. Then make a proposal to the town/county that the rail line can still serve the community… RESTORE and REPURPOSE AMERICA! Do not tear down. This is all we have to preserve memories!

[@cameronsaville3942]

I am very excited for this. It was announced that they will need about 5 million dollars on maintenance to repair the whole line. I really hope they can raise the money for it

[@shawnleestephens9627]

How long is this line? Is there any chance for freight, or will it just be a tourist line.

[@shawnleestephens9627]

What companies on this line wants freight or are they starting with just a tourist line first. ​@NickTheCrossdresser2149

[@garymiller9869]

They will never run trains through the tunnel at Frostburg! There are townhouses there and I believe power lines through the tunnel also!

[@NW-gi1cp]

Wmsr: allow me to introduce myself

[@robertprice7246]

The right of way looks really good for having been unused for like what, 18 /19 years ?

[@HaddaClu]

Other than this video and one other; I've never seen or heard of this line before the announcement by WMSRR. From the vid's it doesnt seem like it would be a very "scenic" ride. Is this the case?

[@railsideproductions]

The shots in this video are mostly near road crossings and don’t necessarily represent what a train ride along this line would look like. Given the paralleling georges creek, nearby rising mountains, and forests slowing reclaiming old coalfields, I think a ride on this line could pass as scenic.

[@tr1ppyh1ppy]

i can’t believe there’s engines there that is so cool

[@garymiller9869]

Gerald altizer had big plans for this line!

[@rabie95]

Will #1309 travel to Westernport, MD when the track done?

[@richhood9934]

I don't know that. Maybe the 734 will, once that's restored, and then leave the 1309 on the Cumberland to Frostburg line

[@91_C4_FL]

​@@richhood9934 I have a feeling this is the most likely scenario. Especially since the tourist train consists are likely to be shorter on this line and the grade is much more level, working in 734s favor.

[@Brycen_trains]

I’m just curious what town is that in the second picture in the intro

[@matt9c1]

Uniontown, PA. Intersection of N Beeson and W Penn.

[@gerardjewels5259]

Old Long Island Rail Road caboose with that ALCO S unit

[@truck_dude]

Abandoned trains and railways are always interesting to me and Idk why lol

[@CNUPOFSOUTHERNILLINOIS]

This railroad would be a perfect Railcar Storage Railroad just like Herrin Railroad

[@newjerseybill3521]

Classic Alco switchers.

[@billconserva1461]

Does this line connect with the Potomac Scenic Railroad ?

[@railsideproductions]

no

[@denisberger9657]

Whoever is going to do this revitalization of this railroad line is going to have deep pockets because you are talking millions of dollars to this project and that’s just the minimum to fully get it back in shape.

[@onrr1726]

The Alco S6 at 5:26 in was fully serviced in Geneva, NY by the Finger Lakes Railway it was in top running condition when they finished working on it. The locomotive along with a sister unit that still sits abandoned in Solvay, NY at an abandond coal powered steam plant has also not rolled a mile since the plant shut down in 2019. The unit and it's sister were built new for Southern Pacific and are MU capabilities and were equipped with helper link uncoupleing systems. Both were used in helper service in California.

[@Beechnut985]

All things take time, and time takes all things.

[@Brianrockrailfan]

so sad hope trains run on rail line again 🛤😥

[@robertprice7246]

Was that a for real TR6 ? Luke ? Oh wow they have to save that

[@johngulino2651]

The video ought to state prominently, at the beginning and perhaps even twice, “Maryland.”

[@fwsauerteig]

Lots of luck, but I'm a little doubtful this line will draw interest as an excursion line.

[@Cnw8701]

It's a beautiful area, and the tourism can draw more business for the local economy.