Trackside Guide to the Mountain Subdivision

The map below shows the CSX Mountain Subdivision line from Terra Alta, West Virginia to Oakland, Maryland and this part of the guide will cover the Glades. 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.

Terra Alta to Hopemont

Continuing on from where the previous guide left off, we'll continue east to Oakland, Maryland. In Terra Alta, you should get on WV Rt 7 - located on the north side of the tracks and head east. Passing through the town, you'll see on your right the old Terra Alta passenger station, which is in bad repair. The empty space next to it use to be the freight depot, but unfortunately it was torn down some years ago. After these landmarks, you'll go pass a "new" convience store, which was build on the end of the old Terra Alta wye track, most recently used back when the Chessie Steam Special made several runs here in the late 70's. At this point, the tracks curve around the hill to the right will the road goes up and over past a public school. On the other side of the hill, the tracks will rejoin the road at the very small town of Rinard, MP BA240.7. Rinard is also the site of a small siding, where mid-train helpers will be cutout. County Road 88 runs off SR. 7 here and crosses the tracks and on the other side a small gravel road follows the tracks for a short distance to the Hopemont crossing. It's your choice, you can take this gravel road or Rt. 7, they both end up at the same place with the same distances. At Hopemont, MP BA 240.5, is a long section of tangent track, named Freeland straight, which was build on alot of fill.

Hopemont to Hutton

Leaving Hopemont, the railroad will disappear behind the trees to the right. From this point the track will go through a large S Curve, named Snowy Creek Curves, before heading into another large section of tanget track at Cornith, WV. Because of this S Curve and it's speed restriction , you can usually beat the train to Cornith. Cornith, MP BA238.2, is a small town on the West Virginia - Maryland state line. Another long section of straight track runs from the end of the S Curves to a bridge over Hutton Road in Maryland. In the olden days, you had to cross the tracks on an old creaky single lane bridge which meant your chase depended on how traffic was that day. Fortunately, several years ago a new double lane bridge was built over the tracks and you no longer have to wonder if you'll make it across in time or not. About 3/4 a mile later is a large gravel pulloff which use to be the location an old mine track that went out of service in the late 1970s. Just east of this point, you'll cross into Maryland at the small town of Hutton, MP BA237.3 - watch your speed on Maryland Route 39 because there is a speed trap there. On the north side of the road is an overpass where the tracks cross over another county road and enter '58' cut about a fourth a mile farther east.

Hutton to Oakland

If you're chasing a train, Hutton is the last place you'll see it until Oakland, unless you decide to take a side road. There's not many that actually go to the tracks between Hutton and Oakland, and none cross it with the exception of Edgemont Road on the other side of the '58 Cut'. Once upon a time we took a side road that went towards the tracks to try a new route. We eventually found the tracks but also ended up in a farm's back yard- Ha! never did find Uncle Henry! Because of the lack of access roads, your best option is to follow MD 39 for 5 miles until you reach the town of Oakland, MD, MP BA232.2. At Oakland is a beautiful old train station which is on the National Registry of Historical Sites. Unless you got behind slow traffic from Hutton, you will almost certainly get to Oakland before the train. After passing several large billboards, you'll see a paved road head off Rt 39 to the north in a curve. If you turn left off Rt. 39 here, continue on Rosedale road for a 1/4 a mile when you'll reach a grade crossing - CSX's new Oakland Defect Detector is located just west of the grade crossing on a long piece of tangent track.

Oakland

Passing the turnoff of the Oakland Rosedal Road on Rt. 39, continue for about 1/2 a mile until you see the tracks on your left again. The Oakland station is located on the other side of the tracks but I find it best to pull into the large parking lot in front of it, that way you don't have to cross the tracks and can get a shot of the train in front of the station. To reach the station you can either take Second Street across the tracks from Rt 39 and then take another left to reach it or if you're coming from Altamont, take Rt. 219 north and then take a left on East Alder Street or another conveinent one in town to reach the station. The Oak Street Bridge, recently rebuilt, crosses over the tracks so you can get a photo of the front end at the station and then go onto Altamont without waiting for the rest of the train to pass - unfortunately there is a long traffic light at the bridge. Just east of the town ofOakland, State Rt 135 crosses over the Mountain Subdivision on an overpass. To reach this location, continue past the Oak Street bridge still on Maryland 39 for about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile until you reach an intersection with traffic lights. Take Rt 219 to the right (south) to reach the tracks - on the way you'll pass an old caboose sitting alongside the road.

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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.