B&O Thunder in the Alleghenies by Deane Mellander

No. 6123 works a string of high cars through the interlocking and onto the Patterson Creek Cutoff headed for Keyser. In April 1947, the class S-1 2-10-2's were standard power for heavy freights on the East End. Photo by William Price

The Baltimore & Ohio used its biggest and best power to conquer the mountains around Cumberland, Maryland. Noted photographers such as Phil Hastings, William Price, Richard Kindig and others share their images of everything from articulated steam to E-units to heavy freight and passenger action over this scenic mountain railroad.

Shiny enough for some publicity work, the B&O's first road freight diesel hauls the merchandise through Mt. Savage Junction on September 19, 1947. Photo by William Price

This look at the B&O depicts the roads's struggle to master the Alleghenies. The time will be the final years of steam power in all its fulminating glory. The coverage begins with the East End of the Cumberland Division, for this is the prelude to the battles with the mountains.

Eastbound No. 7610 approaches the base of Williamsport Hill on Western Maryland tracks. In a matter of minutes, WM's No. 1120 will ease up to the bay window caboose now hidden around the curve and the best power of two roads will put on a real show up the hill to Hagerstown. Photo by William Price

After a brief pause at Cumberland, the scene shifts to the West End of the division, famous for its Seventeen Mile, Cranberry, Cheat River, and Newburg grades, plus the action at Terra Alta and M&K Junction. Then the author returns to Cumberland for the assault on Sand Patch made by the line through Connellsville to Pittsburgh. It was on these two routes that big steam going all out delivered its Thunder in the Alleghenies.

80 pages, softcover, black and white.