Grade 1.75% Opened 1911 | Highest elevation 324 m Length 279 m | |
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No. of tracks Single (originally Double) Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ⁄2 in) standard gauge Similar Western Maryland Scenic R, Cumberland station, Big Savage Tunnel, Thrasher Carriage Museum, Borden Tunnel | ||
Wmsr 734 at brush tunnel short
Brush Tunnel is a 914-foot railroad tunnel located about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Corriganville, Maryland.
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It was built in 1911 by the Western Maryland Railway, and is currently used by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, a tourist railroad running between Frostburg and Cumberland, Maryland, as well as the Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland (part of the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail). Some had expressed concern regarding the dual use of the tunnel, but time has shown that the scenic railroad and the bicycle trail can peacefully co-exist.
The Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland is currently complete from Cumberland to near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, using mostly abandoned rail right-of-way. The portion of the trail from Cumberland to near Frostburg trail is adjacent to the active tourist line, including the tunnel.
As the tunnel was bored for two tracks, and the scenic railroad uses only one, there is sufficient room for the bicycle trail alongside in the tunnel, which is now lighted. (However, trail users are cautioned not to be in the tunnel when a train is in or approaching the tunnel.)