Western Maryland Railroad Museum By Accident

Last Sunday and Monday were days of Discovery, Frustration, Surprises, Relaxation and Fun. My wife had booked us to ride the Potomac Eagle on Monday. We left Sunday right after church and went to Brunswick West Virginia and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. Fantastic Hotel and I highly rate it. Pretty new also. Checked in and left for Harper's Ferry. Here is the Surprise and Frustration. There were so many people and NO parking for miles and I mean MILES. After searching for an hour we left without getting out of the pickup.

We decided to go to Hagerstown (Yes I ask google for train shops near me) and went to visit The Train Room. It was posted as OPEN. Upon Arrival we had a repeat of Harper's Ferry, Frustration! They were closed. Checked google and web site. Both say OPEN. This will be strike three with this dealer as I have tried to buy from him also with little success but lots of frustration.

Pulled out of driveway and made right rather than left. HERE IS THE BIG SURPRISE AND FUN PART!!! Right down the road there were all kinds of CSX engines parked. I ask if we could pull over to look and she said yes, I want to go into this museum. WHAT MUSEUM? All I saw were trains and I was excited. Upon parking I noticed rolling stock and engines label Western Maryland Railroad and said look at that. Her reply was DUH, we are at their Museum. HUH? MUSEUM? Low a behold there was a building saying that. We went inside (time stamp 3:50 pm. Closing time is 5:00 pm). Nice little store and some people talking. Looked around and someone ask if we had been upstairs yet. Didn't know there was anything else. Went upstairs. YOU HAVE TO GO HERE! Upstairs was and HO layout, An N gauge Layout, A Thomas Layout, And two O Gauge Layouts. One currently a work in progress but very large. Had a great time exploring and talking. Wife actually talked a lot about scenery. I believe I hurt their feelings when I said I prefer three Rail as the huge layout under construction was two rail. Then they took us back down stairs and down a hall with lots of Pictures and memorabilia. I of course was looking in dark rooms and discovered another HO layout. But like TV, WAIT THERE'S MORE. There was another O gauge three rail layout of a nice size and a Christmas/Winter Theme. After talking in there (I am good at talking) we moved into the hall and proceeded down into another room. KNOCK ME OVER as there was another large O gauge three rail layout. Well we finally got back to the store and bought some things and left. (Time Stamp 5:25 pm) I apologized and you might have thought I said something bad. They were all so gracious and kind. No Problem was what I kept hearing.  What an adventure. So much fun and relaxing for not only me but my wife also.

Monday we rode the Potomac Eagle and had a fantastic meal on the train in the parlor car. As for Eagles, yes there was some along with great fall colors on the trees. But to be honest the ride was more important as I have eagles in my back yard sometimes 60' away. Sometimes we get as many as a dozen at a time. As for fall colors, well it makes me sad. I am a warm weather person and that is the signal for COLD DROOMY WEATHER. No I am not a cold weather or snow type of person Sorry.

If you get the chance, stop in Hagerstown Maryland and check out the Western Maryland Railroad. (and CSX Engine terminal yard at the same location) You will NOT be disappointed.

Curtis