Big Pool Junction Marker

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Near Big Pool in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Big Pool Junction
Western Maryland Rail Trail

Big Pool Junction Marker Photo, Click for full size

By J. J. Prats, October 22, 2006

1. Big Pool Junction Marker

Inscription. The eighteen miles of rails between Hagerstown and Big Pool were the busiest of the Western Maryland Railway. It was here in 1892 that a connection was made with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad across the Potomac River at Cherry Run, West Virginia. The Big Pool Train Station was constructed in 1892. By the turn of the century other structures were added including a siding, a storage building and company houses.

In 1904 the building of the Cumberland Extension began at Big Pool. The Western Maryland reached Hancock by December of that year and Cumberland by March two years later. In 1906 a coal chute 758 feet long and 37 feet high was constructed to empty coal from the trains coal cars into the steam engine's tender. A water tower was also built to fill the steam engine with the water that would be converted to steam. A freight station and a train order office were also located here. The train order office operated until March 1, 1977.

Erected by Western Maryland Rail Trail.

Location. 39° 37.473′ N, 78° 1.051′ W. Marker is near Big Pool, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Big Pool Road (Maryland Route 56) south of Exit 12 (Interstate 70), on the right when traveling south. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Pool MD 21711, United States of America.

This marker is on the Left Photo, Click for full size

By J. J. Prats, October 22, 2006

2. This marker is on the Left

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. The National Road (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The National Road (approx. one mile away); Gettysburg Campaign (approx. one mile away); Fort Frederick (approx. 1.2 miles away); Nathan Williams (approx. 1.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Big Pool.

More about this marker. Marker is in a small park with plenty of parking at the eastern trailhead of the Western Maryland Rail Trail. A 21-mile paved trail has replaced the Western Maryland Railroad track from this point west through Hancock to Pearre.

Also see . . .
1. Western Maryland Rail Trail Home. This website has a slideshow and downloadable maps. (Submitted on December 5, 2006.)

2. Western Maryland Railway. History on Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia. (Submitted on December 5, 2006.)

3. The Western Maryland Railway: Fireballs and Black Diamonds. (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
4. The Western Maryland Railway in the Diesel Era. (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
5. The Western Maryland Railway Story: A Chronicle of the First Century, 1852 - 1952. (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
6. Western Maryland Diesel Locomotives. (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
7. Western Maryland Color Guide to Freight & Passenger Equipment. (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)

Big Pool Coal Chute 1906–1931 Photo, Click for full size

3. Big Pool Coal Chute 1906–1931

Close Up of Photo on marker.

Big Pool Train Order Office used from 1946–1977 Photo, Click for full size

4. Big Pool Train Order Office used from 1946–1977

Close Up of photo on marker.

Big Pool Freight Shed Photo, Click for full size

5. Big Pool Freight Shed

Close Up of photo on marker.

Big Pool Passenger Station used from 1892–1941 Photo, Click for full size

6. Big Pool Passenger Station used from 1892–1941

Close Up of photo on marker.

Rail Trail Running West from the Marker Location Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, April 25, 2010

7. Rail Trail Running West from the Marker Location

Credits. This page originally submitted on December 5, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,494 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 5, 2006. 7. submitted on July 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.