Trackside Guide to the Mountain Subdivision

The map below shows the CSX Mountain Subdivision from M&K Jct, West Virginia, to Terra Alta, West Virginia and will cover Cranberry Grade. As the key shows, the red lines are CSX track, the yellow lines are primary roads, such as State and US Routes and green is the secondary roads, county roads for the most part. All shown roads are accessible without 4 wheel drive, although in winter months it is recommended. I've also placed icons where signals are currently located, which can be used in conjunction with the signal lists on the timetable page.

McMillian to Amblersburg

After about a mile east of M&K Jct, you'll reach McMillian at BA252.4, where the M&K Junction yard tracks rejoins the mainline, resulting in an interlocking. From McMillian the road leaves the track for most of the way to Amblersburg. Watch this portion of road, there are many curves here and sometimes cars can get to far on your side of this 'double' lane road. At Amblersburg, BA250.6, Salt Lick Road descends a short hill and rejoins the tracks at this point. The track crosses Salt Lick creek via a stone bridge and is climbing Cranberry at 2.75% just east of the bridge. Usually, you can photograph both the front end of a train and its helpers and still beat it to Tanner's Crossing, farther up Cranberry Grade. With westbound trains, its better to get a photograph of the front end and then head into Rowlesburg for the other locations.

Amblersburg to Rodemer

From Amblersburg, Salt Lick Road leaves the Mountain's tracks and for the rest of the way to Terra Alta, it stays in the Salt Lick Creek Valley. However, several county roads branch off which provides access to Cranberry Grade at several locations. After about a mile and a half following Salt Lick Creek, the road will cross over the stream from the rightside of the valley to the leftside near a church. Continue on this road for less than a mile where you'll see a county road branch off Salt Lick Road toward Rodemer. This road is a rutted dirt one and follows a valley towards the tracks... because of this, I do not recommend taking this because a better one is only a few miles farther and brings you much closer to the tracks. Passing this road, continue on for around a mile when you'll see another gravel road climbing uphill near a rather new house on the north side of the road. Turn off onto the gravel road and follow it for less than 1/2 a mile. At the top you'll end up at a grade crossing named Tanner's Xing. To your right, the tracks continue up the hill on a 2.7% grade as it enters a cut. The hill on the right of this cut has a small graveyard which gives this horseshoe curve it's name, Graveyard Curve. Unfortunately you can't see the graveyard from the road because it's on the opposite side of the hill. The road crosses the tracks but beyond there it becomes very rugged and practically goes nowhere. To your left, another gravel road splits off from this road before the grade crossing and follows the tracks down hill. This road leads to Rodemer, about two miles away. You have a choice here, you can wait for the train at Tanner's Crossing, assuming of course you've beat it which is likely, or you can head down the road towards Rodemer. If you head towards Rodemer, take the gravel road for the previously mentioned distance until you reach the tracks again. The road continues on down the hill after crossing the tracks and then heads up the valley (not following the tracks unfortunately) to a few miles west of Terra Alta. The best method for chasing an eastbound is to stay on the near side of the tracks and then chase the train to Tanner's Xing and then onward.

Rodemer to Terra Alta

Leaving Rodemer or Tanner's Xing, head back down the same gravel road towards the paved county road in Salt Lick Creek Valley. Reaching Salt Lick road, take a left and continue on it for about 2 miles until you begin to climb a large hill towards Terra Alta. The tracks are on the mountain side about 1/2 a mile away as they come out of the McGuire Tunnel Cut. If you have a scanner, signals are located here so you can tell if a train is already past them. Continue up the hill for about 1/2 a mile when the road will rejoin the tracks, which is several yards below it. Before this point, you will see the tracks curve around the hill in a small horseshoe curve, named Salt Lick Curve for the creek that runs down it. Now you're in the town of Terra Alta, at BA242.3.

McGuire

McGuire is an off the beaten path location which is reached via Route 7 from Terra Alta. Go west on State Rt. 7 for about 2 miles when you'll crest a hill and head down into a dip. The road to McGuire intersects here on the left, County Road 7-19. This road is a dirt-gravel road and if you're chasing a train, its best to be used only if you are not planning on seeing the train father on. Westbounds work great because you can catch it at McGuire, then take Rt 7 to Kingwood and from there Route 26 to Tunnelton to catch it climbing up from Rowlesburg, although you will have to hurry along! Back to getting to McGuire, stay on 7-19 for appox. a mile and a half when you'll reach McGuire Xing, making sure not to turn off on another road. The road network between McGuire and Route 7 is a bit confusing so I recommend taking a better map than the above ones. McGuire is the former site of a tunnel which was turned into a very large cut that provides a backdrop for westbound trains. The road you reached McGuire on leads to nowhere so its best to head back to Route 7 via the same way you came.

Terra Alta

Having reached Terra Alta, you'll notice the grade slacks off rapidly so it's possible to get a photo of the front end units while the train disappears into the "Hole". You have to see it to believe it! About a fourth a mile east of this location is where helpers cutoff from eastbound trains which do not require them to stay on to Altamont, MD. Trains usually stop when the helpers are clear of the road crossing near the old 'CA' Tower. It usually takes about 3-10 minutes after the helpers uncouple for the train to continue east so you can use this time to head towards Hopemont. Helpers will usually head back to Rowlesburg on the same track because there is no longer an interlocking at Terra Alta. Continue on through the Glades to Oakland

Back to the Railfan's Guide Page

Notice and Disclaimer: These guides and Northern West Virginia's Railroads DO NOT recommend or endorse any form of tresspassing, whether on railroad or private property. I have tried to list locations which are on public roads or property, but if I have made a mistake, please adhere to posted signs or the wishes of the landowners. Remember to use common sense and think saftey! Also, please note these railfanning guides are published for your entertainment purposes only. While I have tried to make these guides as accurate and easy to read as possible, some mistakes may exist unnoticed. As a result, use at your own risk because I do not wish to be held accountable for someone's ruined trip - Thank you for your understanding.