The Sandpatch grade is located west of Cumberland on the B&O line to Connellsville and Pittsburgh. For trains seeking to cross the Alleghenies, it features steep grades and a long tunnel. For railfans, it provides a mecca of train activity, and a source of strong Fall colors. It is traversed by Amtrak's Capitol Limited westbound and eastbound daily, and a large number of heavy CSX freights. Westbound heavy freight has rear-end helpers added at Cumberland for the push to the summit.

At Mt. Savage Junction, J Tower once guarded the interchange of the C&P, and the Pittsburg and Connellsville (P&C). The C&P was absorbed into the WM, and the P&C became part of the B&O. At Hyndman, Q tower marks the beginning of the 1.88% grade. A map of the area, by RRE.

CSX past HO tower, Sandpatch Grade

The tunnel at Sandpatch was begun in 1854, and opened in 1871. It was single-tracked, and 4,777 feet long. In 1911, a new tunnel was begun. Only 4,475 feet long, but double-tracked, it was opened in 1913.

References:

1. Charles S. Roberts Sandpatch Clash of Titans, Barnard, Roberts & Co., Oct. 1993, ISBN 0-934118-20-5.

2. Brian Paulus, Railfanning Sand Patch's West Slope - Keystone Viadust to Garrett, Railpace Magazine, May 1998