Cumberland in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Brush Tunnel
Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 11, 2021
1. Brush Tunnel Marker
The Brush Tunnel was built in 1911, constructed of reinforced concrete, and designed for two tracks. The tunnel is located on the Connellsville Extension of the Western Maryland Railway in Cash Valley, four miles west of Cumberland.
The extension from Cumberland to Connellsville, Pennsylvania was completed in 1912 at an enormous cost through rugged and mountainous country. The line was built to serve a twofold purpose; to provide a western outlet for the Western Maryland and an eastern tidewater outlet for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad. It afforded the Western Maryland the shortest line between Baltimore and Pittsburgh and the lowest grade line across the Allegheny Mountains.
These 1915 photographs include a Baltimore to Chicago passenger train entering the tunnel, soon to emerge into the Jennings Run Valley.
Photographs by Joseph Meyers and from the collection of Albert and Angela Feldstein
Erected by Mountain Maryland Trails and Maryland State Highway Administration's National Recreatrional Trails Program.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 39° 41.343′ N, 78° 48.832′ W. Marker is in Cumberland, Maryland
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Helmstetter's "Horseshoe" Curve (approx. 0.8 miles away); Corriganville Honor Roll (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cumberland Bone Cave (approx. 1.4 miles away); The First Iron Rails (approx. 1.8 miles away); Barrellville Honor Roll (approx. 1.8 miles away); Veterans Marker (approx. 2 miles away); “The Narrows” (approx. 2˝ miles away); The Narrows (approx. 2˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cumberland.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 11, 2021
2. Brush Tunnel Marker
Photo shows marker at the right of the south entrance to the tunnel.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 11, 2021
3. Brush Tunnel
Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 11, 2021
4. Inside Brush Tunnel
View is looking south.
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 December 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 18, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
