Near Big Pool in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Big Pool Junction
Western Maryland Rail Trail
By J. J. Prats, October 22, 2006
1. Big Pool Junction Marker
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′
By J. J. Prats, October 22, 2006
2. This marker is on the Left
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The National Road (here, next to this marker); Big Pool Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The National Road (approx. one mile away); Gettysburg Campaign (approx. one mile away); “...to protect, preserve...and provide access thereto for the public.” (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map 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.)
Categories. • Railroads & Streetcars •
3. Big Pool Coal Chute 1906–1931
Close Up of Photo on marker.
4. Big Pool Train Order Office used from 1946–1977
Close Up of photo on marker.
5. Big Pool Freight Shed
Close Up of photo on marker.
6. Big Pool Passenger Station used from 1892–1941
Close Up of photo on marker.
By Craig Swain, April 25, 2010
7. Rail Trail Running West from the Marker Location
More. Search the internet for Big Pool Junction.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on December 5, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,987 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 5, 2006. 7. submitted on July 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
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