ND TOWER - Viaduct Junction
A Railfans Journal,
The old eastern end of the West End was located at Williams Street in downtown Cumberland until the boundary was moved a half mile west to Viaduct Junction in the early 1990s.
This arrangement lasted until ND Tower at Viaduct Junction was closed on January 22nd, 1997, resulting in Beall Street becoming the eastern end of the Mountain Subdivision a few months later, while the former section of the Mountain was moved into the Cumberland Terminal Subdivision.
To simplify the Viaduct Junction interlocking for easier control by the BB Dispatcher in Baltimore following the towers closure, the same double track section between Beall Street and Viaduct Junction had been reduced to a single main at an earlier point. Today its not unusual to find two or more eastbound trains backed up at Beall Street awaiting clearance into the yard at Cumberland resulting in crews having to report clear of the Mountain Subdivision to the HH Dispatcher so the next eastbound train may move up to await its turn. East of Beall Street the former Mountain Subdivision enters a deep hillside cut and passes underneath three low hanging road bridges in the historic section of Cumberland before crossing over Wills Creek and a section of the town on a 14 arch viaduct.
The Cumberland Viaduct was originally constructed in the 1850s as a brick structure, but reinforced with concrete during the early years of the 20th century to provide ample strength for future heavier loads. The true east end of the West End, regardless of modern day eccentrics, can be found at the location where the Baltimore and Ohio's world split into a giant "Y" at Viaduct Junction.
Photo by Sam Romerstein, ND Tower at Viaduct Jct, looking west toward the narrows.
To the east is the old B&O's East End mainline which continues through Cumberland towards Brunswick and ultimately either Baltimore or Washington. The northern fork of the "Y" is the current heir to the throne that the West End relinquished in 1985 following its downgrading by CSX as a through route. Most of the Mountain's freight traffic off the East End was then shifted north onto the original P&C mainline to Pittsburgh via Connellsville and over the popular small hill at Sand Box, err - Patch. And of course, the western fork of the great B&O "Y" is the fabled West End over the Allegheny Mountain to Grafton.
Photo by Randy Strogen. ND Tower still stands in this view as CSX #8023 leads a westbound through the new Viaduct Junction interlocking in July of 1997. Notice that the section of track between "ND" and Beall Street has been single tracked by this time.
In 1998 the Tower was removed and now only remains in Photos and Memories of the Past.
Now for the CACHE Search
ENJOY THE LOCAL RAILROADING HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND,
ITS ALL AROUND YOU.
The small cache you seek has been hidden inside a larger host to provide cammo from Muggles. Please make sure that the container is completely Inside the host !!
Due to the Old Towers proximity to the Railroad this cache has been placed in a more cacher friendly area.
Parking is provided in a gravel lot, Caution as Tractor trailers making deliveries nearby use this area as well.
No need to Venture anywhere near the tracks, The cache is safely away from them. If caching with Children, Please be aware of their whereabouts at ALL TIMES !!
Although not a Busy area, Stealth will be required as Pedestrians and Vehicles can come from all directions at any time.
Cache contains a Stash Note, Log Sheet, Writing Utensil and some small swag.
Room for TB’s w small travelers and Geocoins as well.
Congratulations to Salarmy Tree-O for the FTF !!