Western Maryland Railroad Schedule
- + I called the WMSR to inquire about the possibility of taking the train from Cumberland to Frostburg in order to avoid some uphill and add a different kind of adventure to the mix. I was surprised to ...
Discussion started 06/30/2013 05:48 PM by Naismith - 3 replies (last reply by Naismith at 10/20/2013 07:55 PM)Naismith from Florida on 06/30/2013 05:48 PM
I called the WMSR to inquire about the possibility of taking the train from Cumberland to Frostburg in order to avoid some uphill and add a different kind of adventure to the mix. I was surprised to learn that they do not allow bicycles on any weekend during the month of October. There was nothing to indicate this on their website.
We were able to work around things, but I can only imagine that there are other times as well affected by their non-bike policies. So be sure to call; don't assume that it would be obvious from their website.
Paul from Quincy, IL on 07/24/2013 01:39 PM
Strange. I could understand it if bikes were carried in the coaches and they wanted the space for all the leaf peepers.
But the last time we biked Pittsburgh to Cumberland, the train just happened to pull into the Frostburg station while we were there. It had a bike car that didn't look all that suitable for revenue passengers. Picture: http://biketrain.x10.mx/GAP/pics/msrr3.jpg
Rick Hancok from Grafton, Va on 07/29/2013 01:24 PM
Fall 2 years ago you were able to transport your bike for a fee seperate from your normal ticket price. My bike and several other's were placed in a "mail car" no seats. I paid for a round trip ticket even though I was only taking the train one way. I felt that this was slightly unfair but excepted it. THis was at the peak of the Fall season.
Naismith from Florida on 10/20/2013 07:55 PM
The buzz on the trail at breakfasts etc. was that there were no bikes carried on the train at all during October, and I nearly panicked, forgetting that I actually had reservations already:)
But no, they were still carrying bikes on weekdays only in October. And there were at least 20 bikes on our Friday.
They can make more money by carrying one more passenger car instead of the baggage car.
GAP to Johnstown
- + I am looking for details or directions on how to visit Johnstown Flood Museum from the GAP trail. I want to bike as safely as possible.
Thanks
Discussion started 08/20/2013 12:09 PM by David - 6 replies (last reply by Naismith at 10/20/2013 07:43 PM)David from Virginia on 08/20/2013 12:09 PM
I am looking for details or directions on how to visit Johnstown Flood Museum from the GAP trail. I want to bike as safely as possible.
Thanks
Stillridng from Pittsburgh, PA. on 08/20/2013 03:16 PM
David, I don't see that happening. The closed GAP trail town to Johnstown, PA. is Rockwood, PA. and there are no bicycle trails in between. Also that distance is about 40 miles one way on some narrow roads. Good luck with that but safety would be a big concern.
lenny on 08/21/2013 04:20 AM
As stillriding stated: You can't get there from the GAP on a bike trail.
Naismith from Florida on 08/21/2013 07:27 PM
We are planning to stop there by car after picking up an SUV in downtown Pittsburgh and driving back to southern Maryland. Has anyone been to the visitors center?
We are listening to David McCullough's book about the Johnstown Flood on our drive up to start the trail.
David from Virginia on 08/21/2013 11:18 PM
Thanks so much for the responses. I actually have family in the Johnstown-Windber area but they are elderly and unfamiliar with the GAP trail. I've been dreaming of riding the trail (Pittsburgh to Washington) in its entirety for a long time but it really hasn't been in the cards. My family has an upcoming trip to the area and I've
convinced the wife to let me out at Cumberland and I'll meet her there or very close. Looking at maps of the area gives me hope but can't really afford to get it wrong. If someone local to the route or area can tell me where or how they might exit the trail in the best location for getting near to Johnstown or Windber or getting picked up from someone traveling from that area I'd greatly appreciate.
Thanks again to those that have already responded.
Angie from central PA on 08/22/2013 12:14 AM
My husband and I just finished riding the trail. He is originally from that area, and I recognized route 219 when we stopped in Meyersdale. It goes straight through Meyersdale and traveling north will take you to Johnstown.
Meyersdale is large enough for a visitors center on the trail, which is accessible by car for a pickup. I would think it would be easy to get google map directions from where ever your wife will be prior to picking you up to the Meyersdale visitors center. If no address can be found for the visitor center, entering town on 219 and taking main street north-east will get you to the center.
People seemed very friendly in town, so if lost, asking around would get you straightened out.
Naismith from Florida on 10/20/2013 07:43 PM
We were disappointed that the museum was not open on the day we were there--they shift to winter hours (closed several days a week) after October 1, and it wasn't very clear on the website.
Long term parking at Cumberland trailhead.
- + Where can you park long term (1 week) in Cumberland if the National Park is closed. We use to park under the Interstate overpass.
Discussion started 10/04/2013 07:23 AM by Rick Hancock - 6 replies (last reply by Naismith at 10/20/2013 07:37 PM)Rick Hancock from Grafton on 10/04/2013 07:23 AM
Where can you park long term (1 week) in Cumberland if the National Park is closed. We use to park under the Interstate overpass.
Naismith from Florida on 10/05/2013 06:05 AM
We have been trying to find this out as well. It has been a C & O lot, and thus should be closed. But the ATA website says nothing.
Paul A on 10/06/2013 07:21 PM
I'd suggest you phone the Cumberland Trail Connection bicycle shop in Cumberland. I bet they'll have some suggestions for you.
Naismith from Florida on 10/06/2013 07:37 PM
Great minds--we called yesterday and they said that the parking lot is open
Rick Hancock from Grafton, Va on 10/07/2013 03:53 AM
I called the bike shop first but was looking for some additional input as I'm parking there for 4 days. Cumberland Connections told me no problem parking for multi days. Just wondering if anyone had done so since the closure.
Paul A on 10/09/2013 08:43 PM
Not since the closure, but my wife and I left our car there for 6 days while we hiked Connellsville to Cumberland, in July and didn't have any problems.
Naismith from Florida on 10/20/2013 07:37 PM
I finally did get an email back, and they said this was not shut down because it is a joint operation between three organizations: the C & O park, the Western Maryland Historical Society, and the GAP folks.
Trip blog
- + As we were planning our Sept 2013 trip down the GAP and C&O, we found it useful to read others blogs. Here's our blog--we were not the typical trail users as we took our time to travel from Pittsburg...
Discussion started 10/12/2013 01:15 PM by Judy - 1 reply (last reply by Naismith at 10/20/2013 07:33 PM)Judy from Austin on 10/12/2013 01:15 PM
As we were planning our Sept 2013 trip down the GAP and C&O, we found it useful to read others blogs. Here's our blog--we were not the typical trail users as we took our time to travel from Pittsburgh to DC.
downaroad.com
Naismith from Florida on 10/20/2013 07:33 PM
I am not sure there is a "typical trail user," which is a good thing. We were always made to feel welcome even if we are older folks who don't wear spandex.
Stonehouse B & B in Harpers Ferry
- + This is not listed in the Towns & Services and should be. http://hfstonehouse.com/
It is the closest B & B to the trail. He has a little yard, so bikes could be pulled in safely. This was ve...
Discussion started 10/20/2013 09:11 AM - 0 repliesAnonymous on 10/20/2013 09:11 AM
This is not listed in the Towns & Services and should be. http://hfstonehouse.com/
It is the closest B & B to the trail. He has a little yard, so bikes could be pulled in safely. This was very clean, and he left enough historic stuff while making it comfortable.
The only downside is the noise of trains all night, as it is quite close to train tracks--but that is true of much lodging along both trails.