Cumberland in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Helmstetter's "Horseshoe" Curve

Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 11, 2021

1. Helmstetter's "Horseshoe" Curve Marker

Inscription. Helmstetter's Curve remains one of the most favored and photographed sites along the Western Maryland Railway. Named for one of the early families that settled the area, the "Curve” was constructed as part of the 1910-1912 86-mile railway extension from Cumberland, Maryland to Connellsville, Pennsylvania. A "cut and fill” method was used for construction at the Helmstetter Farm site. A trestle was first erected, tracks were laid, and as the cuts were made the fill was dumped over the side of the trestle. Winding tracks hug the mountainside weaving in and out to gain elevation up the summit. As portrayed, the uniqueness of this curve allowed for passengers at both ends of the train to be in view of each other.

Erected by Mountain Maryland Trails and Maryland State Highway Administration's National Recreational Trails Program.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 39° 40.678′ N, 78° 48.443′ W. Marker is in Cumberland, Maryland, in Allegany County. Marker can be reached from Cash Valley Road south of Stoney Creek Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is west of the Cash Valley Road Trail Access Parking Area along the Great

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Allegheny Passage Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11407 Great Allegheny Passage, Cumberland MD 21502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Brush Tunnel (approx. 0.8 miles away); The First Iron Rails (approx. one mile away); Veterans Marker (approx. 1.2 miles away); Cumberland Bone Cave (approx. 1.3 miles away); Corriganville Honor Roll (approx. 1½ miles away); “The Narrows” (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Narrows (approx. 1.7 miles away); Site of Bridge 1834 (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cumberland.

Helmstetter's "Horseshoe" Curve image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 11, 2021

2. Helmstetter's "Horseshoe" Curve

Marker can be seen in the left distance in front of the park bench.

Helmstetter's Curve image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 11, 2021

3. Helmstetter's Curve

Marker can be seen on the left side of the trail in front of the park bench.

Helmstetter Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 11, 2021

4. Helmstetter Farm

The farm is located within the "U" portion of the curve.

Cash Valley Road Parking Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 11, 2021

5. Cash Valley Road Parking Area

The marker can be most easily reached by bicycle or on foot from this access point.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 553 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 11, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.