HISTORY

Hagerstown Roundhouse

This an early view of the Roundhouse complex, circa. 1918. The tall structure at the right is the coal tipple for fueling steam locomotives.

Locomotive on Turnable

Western Maryland steam locomotive on the turnable and about to enter the roundhouse. Locomotives from the Baltimore & Ohio and Reading railroads were sometimes serviced in Hagerstown, MD.

Hagerstown Roundhouse in 1939

The Hagerstown Roundhouse Complex in 1939. The 25 stall roundhouse and shops were the major facility for maintenance and repairs of locomotives and cars in Western Maryland. The railroads were the largest employers in Washington County for more than 50 years. The Roundhouse facility was demolished on March 13, 1999.

1940's Steam Locomotives

This 1940's view of the roundhouse shows every track filled with steam locomotives and not a diesel in sight.

Filling up with Coal

Consolidation #839 is moving under the tipple to get a load of coal. These work horses of the freight service were so good that the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA built 50 of them for the Western Maryland.

1950's Diesel Electric Locomotive

By the mid 1950's the Diesel Electric Locomotive was the main power on the Western Maryland Railroad. The coal tipple had lost it's usefulness and would soon disappear.

Locomotive #614 was Restored

The Chesepeake & Ohio Railroad Locomotive #614 was restored in the Hagerstown Roundhouse and has been in service on tourist railroads for many years.

Reading Locomotive #2100

The Reading Locomotive # 2100 was the last engine restored in the Western Maryland Roundhouse. Co-owner and restoration supervisor Bill Benson and the locomotive posed on the turnable in 1988.

To see more historic photos visit the photo gallery.

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