Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

The Frostburg Flyer was a perfect way to spend a day with family. Fortunately for us, the 1309 Steam Locomotive was up and running (only weekends), and it chugged its way along the tracks for a slow, steady climb up the mountain to Frostburg. With temps in the 70's, we chose to sit in the open air car. The signs are correct, you will get covered in ash and soot, but I think that's all part of the experience. Most of it just brushed off when we stood up, but it was all over everything. If you didn't want this full experience, you can sit in the enclosed cars. The scenery was great, the conductor's narration was informative, and the services at the Frostburg station were plenty. Knowing that the diesel engine would pull us back down to Cumberland on the return trip, we rode in the open air car again, and that was just about perfect. No soot and ash on the return trip. If you're looking for a scenic ride, a family-friendly outing, and to live the steam train life first-hand, the Western MD Scenic Railroad is hard to beat.

It was a beautiful ride however, unless you want to get smacked with bits of coal and dust and bugs, I recommend sitting in the closed window area. It took a week for me to fully scrub all the coal or whatever was in the air from the trains smoke. It was a much better ride back when I realized that there was an area with closed windows. At the stop in Frostburg there’s a nice little eating area. The nachos were delicious. I highly recommend with the pulled pork. There’s a wonderful carriage museum. That was very educational. It was a nice little rest area. Overall I give the trip a 8.5 out of 10.

Magnificent engine. Stunning views. We did the lunch class. Food and drink service was good. Server was attentive. Kids might like the coach class better as it’s open. Both city Cumberland and Frostburg are stunning to walk around with lots of history. Train stopping for one and half hour at frostburg gave us the perfect time to explore the lovely city. This is a hidden gem we didn’t know about.

This is once in a lifetime experience. The steam train is beautiful and pulls you along with ease. The Carriage Museum, Ice cream shoppe and coal miner’s memorial are enough to keep you busy if you don’t feel like climbing the stairs up to Frostburg. Definitely stop by if you are in the area.

We booked the dome class for 4 people and paid around $600 including the security fee, expecting a premium scenic experience. Unfortunately, the ride fell short in several ways. We had no idea that the train would do a round-trip without turning around, so we were stuck on the less scenic side for the entire journey. All the best views were on the opposite side. For the price, it would’ve been much fairer if the staff rotated tables or offered a lower price to ensure everyone got a balanced experience. The service and communication were poor. The person sharing route commentary stood near the entrance, and we could barely hear what was being said throughout the car. It felt unorganized and unengaging. The complimentary charcuterie board was also underwhelming — mostly just pretzels, a couple of stale cheese varieties, a few crackers, one type of salami, and bottled water. Definitely not what you’d expect for the price. Lastly, the condition of the dome car itself was concerning. The window above us was cracked, which made it uncomfortable (and a little scary) to sit beneath. Overall, this experience did not feel worth the money. We were excited about a relaxing, scenic ride, but left disappointed. This train has potential, but major improvements are needed in value, fairness, service quality, and maintenance. Seats(D3A, D3D)

The ride and the views were beautiful 😍 It was my first train ride and I enjoyed it. I gave it a 4/5 for a few reasons. First, it didn't specify that you only have a meal option if you book the lunch ride. We booked the Dome so we could have better views (totaly worth it), but we assumed we would be able to order food at an additional cost. That wasn't the case. However, they do provide light snacks and water, and you can purchase soda, tea, and alcohol. I don't think the 90-minute layover in Frostburg is enough time. We struggled to find a restaurant that was open and didn't have a long wait (we went on a Friday afternoon). We ate at "The Princess Restaurant," which has diner type food, and it was delicious and fast service. Also, the space between the table and seats on the train is rather cramped. I'm only 5'1", and I barely had leg room from the other couple sitting across from us. A larger man was sitting across us at our table, and he was very uncomfortable. Overall, it's still worth it, and we had a nice time! Just wanted to share a few details that may help others 😊

The train ride was great! The atmosphere and service were truly amazing experiences. My family and I will definitely do this again. We rode in the lounge class, and the drinks were delicious and unique.

We purchased coach seats and sat in the open air car, which was the best way to experience the ride and scenery. There was a snack bar and museum at the Frostburg station so you didn't have to leave the stop while waiting for the return trip. We packed a lunch and ate outside on a picnic table at the station. The young conductor was knowledgeable and friendly.

Sat in a dome car but unfortunately had a snooty young blonde at our very expensive table... So I Self located downstairs... Drinks were good . 90 minute stop in Frostburg was nice but many restaurants and shops were closed as it was a Monday.

This was an amazing experience they had fast service and kind workers if you go you should get the dome car

(Let me tangent right up front by saying that our experience overall was very unique. Why was it unique? We basically had the entire train to ourselves. Yep, only three occupied tables for the Tuesday night Romance on the Rails dinner train. Your experience will likely vary greatly in comparison.) Setup: The WMSR website is very easy and straightforward to use with one exception. Go to the site, pick the date or the type of excursion, which will lead you back to the dates of availability, and then select, if applicable, the class of service you want to pay for plus your entree/dessert choices and then you pay for it. For a dinner train it's a bit different as there is only a singular class of service. wmsr.com/western-maryland-train-schedule Day of, everything is very easy. 6:30pm on a Tuesday night in Cumberland isn't exactly Times Square and when you add in the aforementioned light booking total for the train, we basically had the entire Visitor Center parking lot to ourselves. Up the stairs and around the corner on the platform and inside to the gift shop to check in/pickup your physical tickets. Boarding was about fifteen minutes prior to departure and right on time at 7pm we took off. Note: As for the one exception, it would be the seating. Certain operations allow you to choose your own seats, certain operations offer tables of two for an extra charge, certain operations tell you right up front its tables of four only. Here, none of the above. It's only that seating is assigned by them. Food: The salad is the salad. Everything was cold and fresh and the lettuce was a nice solid green color. Dressing is only balsamic. If you don't like that, as far as I saw, that's what your getting and this is not specified on the website prior to ordering. The entrees of shrimp scampi and surf & turf were decent. Good sized lobster (no langoustine here) and the proteins were let's say, aggressively seasoned. Bordering on almost too much going on but at least you couldn't say that it was bland. The dessert was the let down. Some kind of mascarpone cannoli or a limoncello sorbet. Both seemed like things that were bought in bulk at Aldi and then re-plated on the train. Not the greatest at this price point. wmsr.com/allegheny-mountain-dinner-trains One other random quirk. The boilerplate on their website talks about the ride taking 3 hours which from prior trips would usually entail going over the entire line to Frostburg. Nay-nay on this one. We got to a random point somewhere past Brush Tunnel and then went back to Cumberland. Instead of a 3 hour trip from 7pm-10pm, we were in our car by 9pm. Look, it's their railroad and it's their prerogative to run things how they choose and I assume that someone made the choice on account of the light load factor to save a few bucks and end the trip early. No problem, but that of course was never communicated. When you put it all together this was a decent experience. The food was good enough and the service staff on board was outstanding. Of course it was also a great novelty to basically be running this as a private charter with next to no one on board versus the train on Wednesday night the 14th which according to the staff was very much sold out. While I'm not going to rush back here in the near future, there are other dinner trains I would like to see/experience first, I'm not against coming back in the future either.

This is a lovely experience. Unfortunately it's not very scenic. The views tend to be hidden by trees during 80% of the trip. The food was pretty good and the portions were generous. Having done this trip and the Potomac Eagle, the PE had much, much, better scenery and you get more variety as far as food with the PE. This is a comparison of Club Car on PE and the full dinner on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Other classes of service may be very different.

Recently went to visit Cumberland with my boyfriend to experience the Polar Express Train ride. It's well worth it and staff are both friendly and very accommodating. We actually came into town late Friday evening and missed the last ride on the polar express (tickets are non-refundable). Decided to try and at least get our credit back for possibly a different train ride in the future, but staff was able to squeeze us in and also upgrade us from coach to lounge. The lounge seating was well decorated and felt very cozy. We brought home a mug, had hot chocolate, a sugar cookie and a memorable ornament from the experience. Would highly recommend this experience for little ones!

Great experience for my first time on a train. Ambience was perfect. Service was impeccable. I was a little underwhelmed with the entree, but the food was still good. The complimentary bottle of champagne, chocolate, and roses were definitely a nice touch for Valentines. I'd like to go back for the Murder Mystery dinner

We came here for my son's birthday trip and he loved it. The train ride brings you to Frostburg. We thought the train would go faster, but it traveled pretty slow the entire time. The views were nice, you definitely want to make sure you're sitting on the right side of the train because that's where most of the views were. Luckily, no one was sitting by us so we were able to jump from both sides. Most of the staff was friendly, we did run into one person who wasn't the nicest and maybe was having a bad day. But the experience was amazing. When you get to Frostburg, it was a little confusing because we weren't aware that a bus would actually bring us to the city up the hill, but that was nice that they did that for us. Not much to do in Frostburg, but have a coffee and walk around the different shops.

This was our second trip on the WMSR. Several years ago we did a nice out & back dinner train (food was good, server not so much, he was brusque). The conductor who narrated did a great job on both rides (older gentleman first trip, young man on second). This time we went in a classic lounge car which was a 11:30-3:30 trip to Frostburg where you de-board & can take a shuttle bus or climb a huge amount of steep stairs up to the little town of Frostburg. The lounge car was lovely, but the leather chairs face inward instead of forward and do not swivel which means you are always craning your neck to look out the window. We went on a Thursday, which meant that our car was nearly empty and we could switch seats once the train was moving. There was a full bar. A complementary glass of champagne is included. Drinks vary in price, but an additional glass of champagne is only 8 dollars. And they do also make some craft cocktails. They give you a drink menu when you are seated & the train begins to move. Seats in the lounge car are assigned and not first come first serve, so keep that in mind if the train is fully booked. Light appetizers are included some buffalo chicken tiny, heated wraps, fruit, cheeses, meats & crackers. Mini charcuterie more or less. Prior reviews are correct in that the scenery is just mountains & trees, which in fall would be the best time to go. But the greenery is still lovely in summer. Just don't expect any astounding views other than what you would expect to see if you were traveling a normal train through the mountains. Remember to bring tips for the staff they do take cash, but they will also take tips by card at the bar. For us, the coolest part is when you get off the train and they put the engine on a turntable and they spin it around to connect it to the other side of the train to take you back. Keep in mind that if you watch them do this, this can take a full half hour which may prevent you from having time to go into Frostburg. We did not go into Frostburg because we felt like if we had taken the shuttle up we would've only had about 20 minutes to walk around and then would've had to get back on the shuttle in order to make the train. We were told that there were a couple restaurants and some shops up in Frostburg but nothing extremely exciting. There are benches & picnic tables, a bike shop & a small restaurant & carriage museum right where the train lets you off. Some tips for older travelers: the step up into the train is high & out, there is a shuttle bus into Frostburg but take it immediately & skip turntable engine switch to have time for lunch, your train ticket gets you free access into the carriage museum at base of steps (interesting display), the turntable engine switch is a must see for train enthusiasts, there is a restroom in the train car. Not much is super handicap accessible. All in all a fun trip.

Tony and I stopped at the Western Maryland Railway Station to visit the building (historical value) talk to the agent and see the museum. We found out the train schedule and found out because it was mid-week we were not going to able to ride the train. So we are going to try in the fall. We strolled around the building checking out the gorgeous interior. There is quite a lot to see outside also in the plaza and park area. Free to check out plaza and building, there is a gift shop but a cost to ride trains.

Very, very unhappy with our trip on the sunset tour in mid-October. I emailed twice regarding this and never received a response from the railroad -- here is what I wrote: I wanted to let you know how disappointed we were with our recent trip on the Scenic Railway (Sat, Oct 19, 2024). We thought we were going on a sunset ride and we're surprised by the time, but figured your company knew best since we are not from the area. When we got on the train, we were shown to a car in the back behind the dinner train. When the trip started and it got very dark immediately after, we could not see anything out the window. When we went to the bar area over an hour later, we realized the front trains used for the dinner car had lights under that allowed those inside to see outside. Basically, we felt like we were afterthoughts. Pretty much you had a dinner train scheduled and thought, "How can we fill the last train and make more money? Oh, and maybe my dad can entertain them? And I know, we'll charge triple the cost for drinks. They'll have to drink since there is literally nothing to see and nothing to do." Then you had someone taking pictures. Did you not notice everyone scrolling on phone's completely bored? On the other hand, the bartender was very pleasant, but overwhelmed; she needed more help. I really think you should re-think your whole "sunset train ride" . I think I, and everyone else, on the Sunset tour, should be reimbursed. Here is a picture out the window.

Was pretty excited about the Murder mystery train ride. Everything was going well until dinner arrived. I ordered the crab cakes which were over seasoned with old bay, very inedible. I could not eat it and for what we paid I am very disappointed. Luckily my husband got the chicken and shared his meal with me. Then came desert.....frozen cheesecake with chocolate syrup and canned cherries. The desert tasted as if it has been sitting in the refrigerator next to a bag of onions. The murder mystery was actually pretty funny that actors had a great time. I enjoyed the train ride but the dinner was not so great.

We made a special visit here for the Polar Express in December. The experience was pretty magical, all things considered. I would change a few things, though. Getting there was a nightmare. There are a couple of near-one-way roads that feed into the lots. There were a lot of cars parked on the side of those roads, though, and it definitely turned them into one-way affairs. But, there was no direction on the ground or any attendants helping out. So, it was utter chaos. Second, there needs to be more street lighting. Both the roads and the station itself get super-dark. It gets very hard to see where you're driving or walking (which can be especially dangerous). That said, though, it was still a unique experience to board an old-fashioned train with steam engine and all. I think I would like to check it out more in the daylight and without any special events going on, because I'm sure that would make for a much better visual experience. Old school trains and stations are getting harder to come by. This was a nice step back in history that I hope sticks around for a long time. The Polar Express experience was also really wonderful, so it's still well worth doing, despite the crowds.

We did the Frostburg Flyer day trip. Loved the views (recommend sitting on the right side), the commentary and facts. Frostburg was gorgeous and fun - wish we had more time there. The open air car was the way to go for sure - it was incredible! Our conductor, Cooper, was kind, smart, entertaining, and hospitable. He talked to us for awhile about the railroad, historical and modern, and his career as a railroader. A great experience I'd recommend to anyone, young and old!

We rode the Polar Express and it was fantastic. The staff were entertaining and helpful. The train, the station, and Canal Place were decorated like Christmas. We will certainly ride the PE again.

2024 REVIEW! I have read so many bad reviews prior to going to the Polar Express Train ride. HOWEVER, my family and I had a BLAST. Absolutely worth it to go. Very interactive with the kids, you get hot chocolate and a cookie on the train ride to the North Pole. The North Pole was on the right side of the train (if you are walking on to the train car it's the right side). We sang Christmas music, read the Polar Express Book, Saw Santa, they reenacted scenes from the movie. The on board crew members were FANTASTIC Putting on the show. They were so kind, and fun! I HIGHLY recommend this!!! Your kids will not be disappointed.

Bottom Line: I love trains and I appreciate the efforts to keep trains running on this historic route but this ride was definitely disappointing for a variety of reasons. I love trains so much that at night when I lie down in bed I think about trains hoping that I will dream about them. Unfortunately the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is not really dream worthy and was just an ok experience. What I liked, rather loved, was the conductor! He was personable, funny and interesting and for me him working his way through the dome car was the best part of the ride. And here is my list of what I think could have made this a better experience: - Parking was rough! We drove all over looking for spots. Between the farmers market, cyclists, and train patrons it was hard to find parking in this little town. I tried to call to get a parking recommendation but no one picked up the phone. We finally found the last spot in a legit public parking lot. I recommend giving yourself plenty of time to find a parking spot and walk to the terminal. I think our email said to arrive 30 minutes early but the website now says to arrive 45 to 60 minutes early. - They day before our ride we were told via email they were running at 50% capacity. This was not true. The First Class Dome car was booked for 62 of 62 passengers. Only 60 passengers showed up. Had the last two passengers arrived they wouldn't have been able to sit together. Seating is first come, first serve. I recommend getting there early to park AND secure your preferred seats. There are spots that are ideal for parties of two and many spots that are ideal for parties of four. - In the First Class Dome car we were supposed to get drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Unfortunately the dome car is supposed to be served by three servers but one had called out sick so there was only two servers. The two servers were hustling but because of being short staffed some people didn't get drinks or hors d'oeuvres before getting to Frostburg. Because people are paying a significant premium ($120?) for a First Class Dome ticket I think the railroad should consider diverting resources to deliver in full on their First Class Dome offerings. - As far as drink selections go, it was Pepsi products and a few beers. They didn't even have coffee which I thought was odd. I went for a beer to take the edge off after struggling to find a parking spot and dealing with an awkward seating issue. On the return trip we found out the bar car was just one car over and it had a full bar! Why didn't they tell us this?!? I would have been glad to walk next door to spring for a full priced drink. Plus I hear the bar car has a really neat interior. - As far as hors d'oeuvres go, for us this was a cold plate of veggies, cheese, meat, fruit and two chocolate strawberries. I wasn't expecting anything fancy so no complaints on the offering but I also had one piece of fuzz and one piece of hair in my plate. - As far as the scenery goes, I agree with another Yelper, not very scenic. But, I do really appreciate the efforts to keep this historic route alive. I'm sure its been really tough for the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to recover from the pandemic but I was still hoping for a little bit better experience.

After driving 3 hours to go on 11:30 train it was cancelled 45 minutes before departure. No sorry or complimentary trip , just refund. Asked about reimbursement for parking and she said call the City. Quality control check should have been done yesterday to make sure everything was ok for this morning and not last minute when people come far distances.

Wonderful way to experience the beautiful Allegheny back country and step back in time! My wife and I rode it with our 2 and 4 year old sons, and had a blast! First, the line is incredibly scenic, the coaches were clean and comfortable, and the crew was friendly and informative. I really enjoyed stepping on and off the trains at the historic stations, and eating lunch at The Princess in Frostburg, which was a 1939 lunch counter which, taken with the ride, took me back in time. In my experience, this is one of the more scenic museum trains anywhere.

We centered our entire trip on being closely located to where our train ride would take place. This led us to Cumberland, MD and quite frankly, if we could've done it differently, we probably would've. There is not much to do in Cumberland aside from this train ride. It was a neat experience nonetheless--the steam engine was super impressive. The ride was VERY slow though and almost rocked us to sleep. The scenery was okay but it wasn't near what we expected to see or what you could see if you drove an hour and some change north to West Virginia. The train took us to Frostburg which was a cute little town but unless you want to climb probably 300 steps (not exaggerating) to get up to the town, you'll want to stay at the train depot, get a snack at the snack bar (which was decent actually and well priced), visit the carriage museum, and just relax for 90 minutes before hopping back on and heading back. Nearly everyone was asleep on the way back. When we asked the attendant at the carriage museum what we were missing by not going up the steps to the town, he chuckled and said "leg cramps--just leg cramps." Lol Say less! We stayed put. Fun experience but we could've driven it instead. I'm sure their entertainment train rides that run are far more eventful and I heard the Polar Express they do is great!

Mystery train ride was superb, our server josh did a fantastic job food was excellent very good portion

This is for the Frostburg Flyer train, specifically the Frostburg Flyer Lounge. It was a great trip! We lucked into spectacular weather and fall colors. Seats are comfortable and roomy, the "nibbles" were good, and the mixed drinks were excellent and made to order. Our server/conductor/bartender had interesting informational tidbits (could have been a few more). The train car was nicely done in old wood. Our train used the steam locomotive, which is very impressive up close. The minor downside was that the seats are set up to face inwards, away from the windows, so you are constantly craning your neck backwards to see, but that wasn't as bad as I thought.

My wife and I decided for our 35th wedding anniversary, we would do the Frostburg Flyer Western Maryland Railroad trip. We paid $150/person for a seat in the dome car, hoping for a great view. The train is very dated; if you do the dome seats, expect many narrow steps to get to the dome area. We love nature, and the pictures on the site looked like it would be a great trip for seeing great mountain views. However, seventy percent of the views are just trees, rocks, and dirt beside the train tracks. You get a few views of valleys that are very nice; otherwise, it is just as I stated. When you get to Frostburg, expect to do a lot of walking and find minimal options for food. You can walk to the town of Frostburg, but it is a long walk uphill. If you do that walk for the food, don't. There are only a few small places and one take-out pizza place. If you have trouble walking distances, this trip is not for you. The best part of the trip was the people working on the train. The guy serving us drinks was very friendly and constantly ensured we were all well cared for--the conductor and other staff on the train were very friendly and helpful.

I gotta be honest here...not very scenic lol. The drive up route 68 to Cumberland was more scenic than the actual train ride. Maybe I set my expectations too high but I was hoping for some better mountain views , maybe some nice bridge crossings, perhaps a couple of creeks ect. Don't get me wrong, there were a few beautiful sights to see but they were far and few between. If I lived near Cumberland I would still recommend this excursion because it makes for a nice day but I wouldn't suggest driving two hours from Montgomery County for this attraction. Boarding the train: One of my biggest qualms is the disorganized fashion of boarding the train. The train pulls up at 11:00 A.M., over a hundred people are standing outside and there is no one directing us, no one has a clue where we will load on to the train. There were about 6 doors we could have utilized to board but they only allow loading from two entrances, once everyone realized this there was a major bottleneck of people try to race to one of the two open doors to grab a good seat on the train. The seats are first come first serve, and I saw people there were outside waiting for the train an hour before departure get terrible seats because they weren't standing in the right place when the train arrived. There needs to be system or at least clear directions on where to stand and how the train will board. The actual ride: low speeds, small patches of scenic views with pretty foliage, a snack bar with limited options, a bathroom on every car (they were clean), some seats had huge windows and some had smaller less quality windows. BIG TIP: You will want to grab seat on the station side when departing Cumberland. If you sit on the wrong side of the aisle you will have zero scenic views. An announcer who provides a little history during the journey was pretty good. Seats: two seaters but you can be reposition the back rests to change the set up for a group of 4. The layover in Frostburg: Way too short. An hour was barely enough time to do anything. The station is really close to "downtown", about a 100 yard walk. That walk is up a very steep hill though. They have shuttles to take you up but expect a decent wait. We realized there was no way we could wait for a shuttle, find a restaurant downtown, eat, and then make it back to the train all within an hour. We opted to briskly walk the steep incline, find the closest coffee shop, scarf food and race back to the station. We made it back with 20 minutes to spare but the whole thing felt like racing the clock. Couldn't enjoy the layer over. The stop in Frostburg needs to be minimal an hour and a half, maybe two hours. The ride back: Leaving Frostburg you find one of the two doors that they board from, try to get in before anyone else and get a good seat. Similar to boarding at Cumberland but we at least knew where to stand in line this time. Overall I think a kid would enjoy this trip simply because riding a train is an exciting experience for a child. Adults, if you live close by it's an inexpensive day date. Not worth a bunch of travel though. Wouldn't come back but I am motivated to go find a better scenic train ride now, and I will.

This review is for the Polar Express. We went on the Polar Express last night and we were extremely disappointed. The place where the gift shop was and where you pick up your hot chocolate was PACKED I mean crowded and barely any masks. The tickets say that they're observing the Covid protocols, but NOT being enforced. No signs anywhere reminding everyone of the Covid protocols. If our kid wasn't as excited as she was we would've left. We were in the First Class car and that wasn't any better. We were packed table to table - no accounting for social distancing as NO ONE was wearing masks. People were eating, drinking and singing maskless in a confined area- seated within 6ft of each other. I guess the $$ is the bottom line. So extremely disappointed in how this is being handled.

Such a fun day trip! We came to Cumberland from Germantown and had a quick breakfast at a local cafe and boarded the train. It's old inside and out but i believe it was very well maintained. The train goes at a decent speed so you can enjoy the views and they point out certain things as you pass by. Great for the kids and fun for the parents. Finding the right date to go might be tough because fall is very finicky in Maryland but regardless I think you end up with a beautiful view no matter what. My only complaint would be that by the time we got to Frostburg and got off we only had about 45 minutes to explore. That didn't leave time for very much so I would say maybe they should figure out a better way. Otherwise was a great trip!

Our family decided to get tickets early for the polar express experience and I'm glad we did! We hadnt been in over five years and we decided to make a night of it by getting a bed and breakfast nearby. we went on one of the coldest nights of the year December 23 and it was PERFECT!!!! We got to experience the crew doing skits from the movie as they were giving out hot chocolate to the hostess having us sing songs with her make believe microphone. The guy looking exactly like the guy who did the ticket punching and Santa coming on our train and giving everyone silver bells! It was awesome! We can thank western Maryland scenic railroad and the folks that make this happen enough for the great memories of the past and now the future! We will definitely be back In 2023!!!! Thank you!!!!!

was fun to Take the kids on an authentic train right. Was great experience. We did the bunny Hop, so we got the train ride and an Easter egg hint.

that was the slowest train ride in history! bicyclists were passing us! we had heard so much about this train ride and were really looking forward to it. the dome car was okay, we were on the top But there wasn't really that much to see. It would have been much better if there was a person to give some history of the route while we were on it, anything to break the monotony of a pretty slow boring ride. the carriage museum at the Frostburg depot was very nice. the Cumberland depot is very nice and there are places to visit in that area.

On October 3, 2022, one of my lifelong dreams came true, and I got to drive a steam locomotive: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 1309 -- the largest operating coal-fired steam locomotive of its type in the world! According to WMSR.com, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 1309 (formerly Chesapeake & Ohio Railway 1309) is a compound articulated class H-6 Mallet type 2-6-6-2 steam locomotive. It was built in 1949 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works (the last domestic steam locomotive ever built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works) and went into service to handle the C&O's heaviest coal trains throughout Kentucky and West Virginia until its retirement in 1956. After a $2.8 million restoration, 1309 moved under its own power in 2020 after 64 years in retirement -- the first time an articulated locomotive operated in the eastern United States since the retirement of Norfolk and Western 1218 in 1991. This was a lifelong dream of mine come true. After more than two decades of riding behind both WM 734 and WM 1309, being able to operate 1309 under the excellent supervision of the WMSR Crew from the Cumberland Station, through the Narrows, and stopping just short of Helmstetter's Curve (all while laying on the New York Central six-chime passenger whistle) was an experience that I'm struggling to define accurately with words. The WMSR Crew did some very special and unexpected things for me on that trip that I'll never forget. It was emotional. It was epic. It was surreal. It was everything you wanted it to be and more. If you are on the fence about doing it, trust me. It's worth every penny, and more. Jump in with two feet, because the only disappointment you'll feel is the regret of not doing it soon.

What an amazing trip. I'm glad we waited for the weekend to ride the steam powered train. Seeing the 1309 running is worth the price of admission alone. The conductor was very friendly and answered a ton of questions for us. He and his wife actually own two of the cars that they lease to WMSR. You can tell he cares deeply about preserving the heritage of the railroad. We bought Deluxe seats, but were free to roam about the train. Spent a bit in the open air cars, and the disclaimer is true. It is loud and dirty, but so cool!

My wife gifted me this Christmas with something very special: the "Hands on the Throttle" package from the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Now, I'd long thought of riding this train but what this package provides is something on the next level. You are shown the ropes & actually operate the locomotive; a perfect gift for even a casual rail fan! We were a little confused upon arrival as the instructions said to be there 30 minutes early. The place was empty, the doors to the station were locked & there was no signage telling us where to go. Eventually we found a friendly park ranger who made a phone call and learned we should just stay by the loading platform. Soon someone came to open the office & process our tickets. Right on time, the EMD GP30 pulled into sight & in minutes I was sitting behind the controls. The tutorial was quick, & off we went! The round trip for this package takes about an hour or so, running 10-15 mph. In case you're wondering, this was only the locomotive (no cars & no passengers, which I didn't realize ahead of time but something of a relief as it reduced any anxiety.) Mike & Danny from the railroad were both very friendly & knowledgeable; I learned quite a bit. The price of entry isn't inexpensive, but for a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Worth it! I should also say, from talking to the guys, it sounds like steam is on the way back to Western Maryland. If I didn't live on the other side of the state I'd be interested in putting some volunteer hours here.

We booked a trip for the 2021 Polar Express train ride and the pumpkin patch ride at the same time. We were a little disappointed with the pumpkin patch because it was a small stop with tiny pumpkins sitting on tables, stands and hay bales with stickers. Our family has gone on a few train rides so we chalked it up to a little rinky dink and hoped for better for the polar express as we booked first class. Much to our disappointment, it was not much better. We will not be returning or recommending to anyone to visit this station for events. We came an hour early for the PE ride and it was so packed in the station to pick up tickets (not really tickets just an employee who scratched our names off a list and told us our car number). That took me 45 minutes and my husband remained outside with our girls. Then I finally get out of the station to reunite with my husband to realize that what looked like a free for all table was our cookies and hot chocolate. We got to another line to get in our car and then boarded. I mentioned that I couldn't imagine that it was our hot chocolate & cookies at the crowded table in the station BUT it was T-T Many in our car we're of the same opinion and I heard some other kids asking for hot chocolate and cookies when the staff started singing the hot chocolate song. Fortunately, we had a late lunch so my 4 & 7 year olds didn't get too disappointed about it. The ticket was a bit rinky dink and given to us at the end. We could tell the management was stretching out the supplies because the bells and tickets were only for children not all paying passengers... not a big deal but advertise that because we keep our bells and hang them on our tree with our name and year. The star is for the staff of the cars! They were doing a great job with the circumstances (I'm sure they recognized this mismanagement). I felt for them because I'm guessing not all passengers would be as accommodating. We made the most of our trip and knew parking would be an issue and came 1.5hrs earlier. After our trip we enjoyed the near by museum and our girls got a candy cane and train magnet to make up for no hot chocolate & cookie. Please advertise better or stage better.

Very pleasant experience and a nice way to see the beauty of western MD. The train takes 1.5 hours each way to/from Frostburg and there's some nice scenery although a lot of the would-be vistas are obscured by trees. The best part is probably going through the Narrows right at the beginning. There's not much of anything to do in Frostburg but it's a pleasant place to stroll through. Honestly if you have the strength I'd recommend just biking the trail that runs parallel to the train and you can get the same scenery although that's nothing against the train itself.

We took the Frostburg Flyer from Cumberland to Frostburg. It was a nice experience, but I wouldn't call it amazing. The staff manage the crowd very well, and there were plenty of seats available. The tour guide narrates the ride to Frostburg and provides historical information and other interesting tidbits. However, in order to make the most of the scenic view, you must sit on the right side of the train. Otherwise, you will see nothing but grass. The one hour layover in Frostburg is merely okay. There isn't anything to see or do there, especially on a Sunday afternoon. Overall, we had a decent time, but I'm not sure if I would recommend it to a friend.

I've never ridden on a train before, so I enjoyed this trip. Something nice to do in March when everything else is practically closed in the surrounding areas. Breakfast was good... no complaints and prices were cheaper then any other restaurant around. It was fun walking between trains and seeing the view. While it was not a beach or some glorious mountain, it felt like you were on the train in a small scale model town. The only thing I wished they would have told us was that most shops in Frostburg were closed on Sunday and shortened the layover time frame there. By the time we finally started heading back, I was falling asleep! Overall, I really liked it for my first time. The city wasn't much to show for itself, but the train station stayed historical which was cool to see.

Bought tickets in the First Class lounge car for my husband's birthday. We had the best time! Dean and Jamie were awesome, making everyone feel welcome; great conversations and we could not have asked for a better time. It's not often you hear passengers say they don't want to disembark. We will be back and in our favorite seats next to Dean's bar. If you're sitting there I will ask you to move ;)

The food was mostly disgusting bordering on inedible. The ride was fun, a little chilly but that was ok. The food made it a memorable experience. In a bad way if I could give zero stars. I would. Won't be back ever,

Our family of four, including 2 young children, drove 2.5 hours from Alexandria, VA on the day after Thanksgiving to take the "Polar Express," which was billed as a 90-minute scenic train ride to the "North Pole" featuring a cameo appearance by Santa Claus. Though the train itself was a charming throwback to the 40s, the ride lasted barely an hour -- not the 90 minutes that we purchased tickets for. We were also supposed to be served cookies and hot chocolate on board, but that never happened. Meanwhile, the actors -- Santa, his elf, and a dancing chef(?) -- basically phoned in their performances (all Santa did was hand out little silver bells to the kids, while his "elf" was a crotchety older lady who seemed more interested in finding the ladies room than in entertaining the kids). When we pulled into the station at 2:28 pm (vs the 3pm listed on our receipt), we and the families behind us were aghast. That was it?! No explanation for the abbreviated ride was provided and we all disembarked feeling like we were the victims of false advertising. Don't waste your money on this (we foolishly shelled out a total of $254 to ride in the "Deluxe" car). Your kids will be sorely disappointed, and you'll leave feeling like you've been ripped off.

I planned a surprise birthday trip for my boyfriend on the Mountain Moonshine train. Although it wasn't busy, we parked in the overflow lot which charged $1.00 an hour. The will-call office was on the second floor and it was a very simple process, just gave our names and received our tickets. Aboard the train, there were signs on the tables with our names already so we could not choose which side to sit on. That was fine with us, it was dark out, there was still a lot of snow on the ground, so not much to see. We were luckily seated with a very nice couple. I think the conversations we had were much more interesting than the views would've been. We started with 5 samples of moonshine and a side salad. There were mixed drinks (made with the moonshine), beers, wine, coffee that were available to order. Dinner made its way out in a very timely manner and we were so surprised by the quality of food. I had the crab cake and it was huge, but it was all crab and very little filler. The boyfriend had the filet mignon, it was tender and very good! The stop at Frostburg was a little lackluster. We watched a band perform and they were great! But there wasn't much to do except walk around the gift shop. On the trip back, we received 5 more sweeter moonshine samples and a cheesecake. The tickets were expensive but I really believe it's worth it. We would definitely consider returning for another event from WMSR.

When I go to a place and I have a bad experience, I usually don't spend time writing a bad review, however I believe it is my duty to warn people from wasting their day and money. What a disappointment, the views are not nearly as pretty as shown on the website. The train ride is over an hour each way. There are NO breathtaking views at all. There are many better views on the way here from Gaithersburg. At the train they have a little caffe, that sells, sodas, frito lay potatoes chips, microwaved pretzels, hot dogs and sub par pizza. However they also sell $3.00 bottles of beers. Once you get to the town of Frostburg, there is absolutely NOTHING to do, no where to eat. On Sunday everything is closed, so many out of business stores. There is one decent place to have coffee called Mountain City Coffeehouse & Creamery, the line was out the door (no wonder why) After reading this, you still dare to visit, I suggest you go early to park your car and pick up your tickets, the lobby is very small and gets jammed with people to retrieve their tickets. The small parking lot gets filled early, there is free parking on the bridge across the street. There are many other things we rather do on a Sunday at $50.00 per person! Definitely NOT recommend

TERRIBLE customer service!!! Nobody picks up the phone or calls back. I was trying to book a $500 experience but it seems like they don't want any business. And the dumbass COVID excuse doesn't fly. Answering a phone has never gotten anyone sick.

This is a review for the Murder Mystery train ride. First of all, this was an amazing experience. The actors/actresses were clearly having a lot of fun which made all of us have a lot of fun. Everyone on board was playing along and generally having a good time. There is a cash bar where beer/wine are available for $5 each. The performance was very interactive and easy to follow along with. The whole idea of a murder mystery dinner is so cool and then you add in a train ride?? I'm in! All the staff were very nice and added greatly to the atmosphere, including the actors, the servers, and the ticketing staff. The train was also extremely punctual; it left Cumberland at exactly 6 and returned at exactly 9. When you board the train you will find the table that has a card with your last name, which already has your salads, water, and iced tea ready for you. Reasons why I deducted 1 star: 1. It was ridiculously difficult to get in contact with the ticket agency. Everything can easily be done online, so I'm sure they expect everyone to be able to get everything done online. We were gifted 2 tickets for Christmas, but wanted to add a third ticket to our reservation, and make sure we were all seated together. This isn't possible to do online, as the third ticket was redirected to an entirely different train car. I emailed once to no reply, and called 3x with no answer or call back. I finally got ahold of them while on vacation and walking around Disney World, and they were easily able to add a third ticket at the same table to the registration. 2. I ordered the filet mignon, and it was much fattier than I would have preferred. I'm sensitive to texture so this isn't a big part of my critique but many parts of the meat were very chewy because of the fat. 3. I had read online that anyone who correctly guesses the murderer wins a prize (a wine glass). This was not advertised on the website so the review I read could have been wrong or they might have changed their policy since then, but all the correct guesses (including mine) were placed into a hat and 1 (one!) was chosen at random to win a box with what looked like 2 wine glasses inside. Again this isn't a *huge* part of my complaint but my competitive nature makes me a little dissatisfied to correctly guess but not win anything, even something as simple as a wine glass, and that the winner was chosen completely at random.

I was definitely a fan - they did a really nice job overall. Had a Groupon voucher (how I heard about this experience) and I felt they had an efficient process of handing it. You reserve your spot through a link, and get a confirmation. When you arrive, you check in with your last name and get your tickets - very quick! Then line up for boarding. The station is located in a small town - there is a parking lot directly in front of the station, but there are also ample parking options within a few blocks. I saw a few parking garages within eyesight of the station. For free parking, I recommend going across the railroad tracks (uphill), make a left on the first street, and then a right on the next street. There are several lots (and street parking) in the area - the one I parked in was specifically marked as only regulated M-F, so a great option for the weekend! Back at the train, boarding starts ~30 mins before - get their early and get in line. This will allow you to be able to choose your ideal seat (read: one with a good window for the view!). Each train car fabricated inside differently - seats, floor, etc. If you're in standard coach seats, you can walk through the train and choose any car/seats that you want. The ride is narrated off and on as the train passes cool landmarks - it's just enough without being annoying. The ride is about an hour in each direction, with a ~1hr stop in the middle @ Frostburg. Highly recommend sticking around after you get off the train to watch them turn the engine car around. Then tt's easy to walk up the hill to the "main street" and mosey around - there's a little coffee shop and a few other places to check out. Overall this a great part-day adventure/excursion. It's a little pricey at full fare, but with the groupon I found this to be a good value!

So disappointed in this place. Not worth the money. Saw an ad on Facebook and thought it would be a fun fall activity. Located in Cumberland MD, about a two to two and a half hour drive from Baltimore. The view on the drive is much better than what you will see on the train. Tickets are expensive. $50 (about after fees) a person for a standard couch seat. They have "first class" and others that include a meal with your ride but that's too rich for my blood. Cumberland is a cute town and the station is located on Canal St with a bunch of little shops. Would recommend this over the train ride. We got our ticket easily but after that they have you stand and wait for the train. There is no signage on where to line up and everyone just crowds into a a big mess. Standard seating is first come first serve so knowing where to line up to get best seating is important. They need to have a better system. The train itself was comfortable with lots of leg room. Would suggest sitting on the RIGHT side as anything you "see" will be from that side. They have snacks available for purchase (cash only). Hotdogs, popcorn, sodas, etc. A lot of people brought their own food. Not sure if that is allowed but no one was stopped. I was surprised how slow the train goes the whole trip. Only about ten miles an hour, which I guess is nice to take pictures but not what I was expecting. They give you a "historic" tour and point out different things along the way. Unfortunately 90% of your "scenic" view is blocked by trees and mountains. There is maybe three times you can see an unobstructed view. And for a tour that advertises itself as a "scenic" tour this was quite disappointing. Also, the tour is supposed to be two hours. They discovered a landslide on the track and of course for safety reasons they cannot travel that part of the track. So instead of cutting the tour time, traveling a different part, or reducing the piece, they simply stop in the middle of nowhere and "take a break" for thirty minutes. During this time you can get off and "look at the train." They set up picnic tables as well. Really by the time everyone gets off, it's time to get back on. They only have one on and off door (which is crazy to me). After the break they turn around and go back, seeing the same obstructed view you just saw. Not worth the money at all. Won't be doing this again.

Booked the open air car for extra protection in addition to them stating that masks are required since Covid is going on. While almost all the open air people kept there masks on, a large portion of the enclosed cars did not have any masks on. Then all the non-masked people from the enclosed car kept walking to the open air car and standing right over us (literally) to look at our views for long periods of time. Then more and more kept coming. Was very uncomfortable with this and nobody that worked on the train was in sight. Was a peaceful ride up until we were crowded over. There website strictly state covid rules for all passengers and there not followed or enforced. Would not book if you have kids, are older or are vulnerable to covid.

The Polar Express departed Frostburg, Maryland Dec 10th at 5:30. A more appropriate name would be "The Polar Depressed". They did have hot chocolate and cookies available prior to boarding the train (not on board). Aboard our car, there was one employee that walked back and forth as he held up the Polar Express Book. He had on some sort of plastic face mask that looked like a non rebreather oxygen mask filled with condensation. Likely, that was the reason the door to our car was open the entire time which made it cold. He gave us the QR code for the Christmas Carols they would be singing. However, there was no singing nor any other form of entertainment in our car. After 30 minutes of nothing but darkness out the train window we arrived at "The North Pole" which appeared to be inflatables or a similar type display illuminated with Christmas lights. We picked up Santa and he passed out a bell as he walked through the car not even stopping to talk to the kids. We also had two other actors walk through our car; the "hobo" actually volunteered to do a photo for those interested. I would never ever do any type of train excursion with the Western Maryland Railroad again even if they paid me to do it. We have experienced the Polar Express in Elkins, WV and it was absolutely phenomenal!! Singing dancing joking and gorgeous light displays. Don't waste your time or money. #polarexpress #westernmaryland

One of my worst experiences with a touristy activity ever! By far! It was our 5th anniversary, so I decided to do something special with my wife. I had heard about the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad through brochures I'd seen while in the area, and thought a ride on an historic train would be nice. When I heard about the murder mystery & dinner package taking place on a Saturday evening close to our big day, I leaped on it, thinking this would be a great way to celebrate. The cost seemed high- $85 per head, but I thought this was something unique and I'd take advantage of the opportunity. So, we were scheduled to leave the train station by 6 pm. We left our house early because Cumberland is quite a ways from Washington DC. We get to our B&B, check in and unpack, walk down to the station (lovely city, by the way) and had to figure out how to get our tickets: no signs, very little help, and people just sort of milling around like there was a delay. Well, there was- 75 minutes, and no one bothered to tell us. We get on the train, wait, wait, and wait, and finally I find somebody of authority who tells me a tour group that was at the Hagerstown Premium Outlets was delayed because one of their patrons never showed up at the end of the shopping spree. Hmmmmm. Ok, the bus arrives, and the train starts moving around 7:15- nearly dark so we'll miss some good scenery, but I try to take it into stride. The meal service begins- rolls and butter, uninspiring salad, and then the entree: I had the salmon, my wife the roasted chicken- my fish was cold, her chicken slightly warm. Wait staff says the delay caused "some of the meals to lose their warmth". "No way to heat them up." The couple next to us mention their meals aren't hot either. Dessert was nothing to write home about either. Meanwhile, the train is jugging along at what seems like 20 miles per hour- it's dark out so we really don't see any scenery. The murder mystery begins while we're still chipping ice off our entree. The main character who just happened to create the play also owns a business in town that he feels obligated to advertise to us while doing introductions. The "actors", who are not actors at all but are local residents who are moonlighting, attempt to put on what is probably the worst scripted play I've ever listened to. It was called "Dying to Dine", and was poorly developed, really didn't have a plot, and through incorporating two passengers as part of the play made no sense whatsoever (later, we learned one of the passengers was given a script to another play). It gets worse....back at our table, i ask the wait staff for a third time for some more water. They are short of waiters that evening so I'm told "Maybe you can go to the bar and get some yourself!" Which I try....the bar maid says they are out of water, but should have some "shortly". "Maybe they'll re-stock in Frostburg?", I think. Speaking of Frostburg, we arrive there after about an hour or so of chugging along the tracks. My expectations of this "unique" event have already been deflated to the point that I'm not surprised when we're let off the train and then just stand around for 30 minutes while the murder mystery people awkwardly try to perform a scene of their senseless "play" at the depot. My two year-old could have written something better; I'm almost serious about this.... After about a wasted hour, we get back on the train and start chugging back to Cumberland. Fortunately, Cumberland is at a lower elevation than Frostburg, so the return trip is not so straining on "the big engine that almost couldn't". Unfortunately, we get back to our table and find the waitress had taken my wife's partly eaten meal that had been covered with a napkin and had a placecard on it with "please save". Our companion couple's covered meal and dessert were wisked away also. I guess looking for cues like that were not part of their training. Meanwhile, the "actors" are wrapping up what is, yes, it's a mystery- it's certainly not a play, and the script makes no sense, so is it some sick joke to perform to a group of passengers who have no way of walking out unless they jump rail and take their life? This "performance" is soooo bad I actually considered it. Finally, the train arrives back in Cumberland. I'm beyond disappointment, as I've never spent so much money on such poor service and what was to be entertainment (and I'm leaving out the cold meal). To my disbelief, as I'm walking towards the exit, the bar maid shouts out, "Sir, did you ever get your water?" I look at her and shake my head no. "Oh", she replies, "we had some, but I thought you were only joking!" Actually, I think the entire staff tonight was only joking...... Needless to say, I would NEVER recommend this trip. If you love old trains and just have to experience this activity, get the day pass and skip the horrific meal service and live "entertainment".

As someone who definitely does not fall into the 'train enthusiast' camp, I can't give this experience more than 2.5 or 3 stars. Parking near the station is somewhat limited. The area around the station is not particularly interesting. The boarding process was absolutely horrendous - you'd think that this was the first time this train had ever run, and that the employees had never done this before. It took far too long, was incredibly disorganized, and the people who were not a part of any organized group (as I was) had to search the train for a place to sit. The train cars were too chilly on a cool October day, as well. The ride itself was nice. The scenery is lovely, and they do a good job of explaining area history without getting boring. When you get to Frostburg, you have about an hour and a half for lunch. They do provide a trolley service for those who do not want or cannot (and there were many such individuals on the train - the ridership definitely skewed older) walk up the many stairs to get from the station to Main Street. Frostburg does not have too many lunch options in the downtown area, however. I can definitely think of other (and possibly better) ways of spending $30....

Steaming through the mountains from Cumberland to Frostburg is a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon, a nostalgic journey filled with breezy meadows, curving tunnels, and a small, hilly town with antiques shops, a small college, and a couple of sleepy restaurants. There are open viewing cars interspersed with the air-conditioned, windowed cars with original Formica tables and vinyl seating. Even at the back of the train, a small rainfall of soot will occasionally swirl into the open viewing cars, so be prepared to shake your hair and brush off your skin when you arrive back in town. It is an experience that satisfies all the senses (though skip the hot dogs), and watching the engine turn in the basin while bellowing white clouds of steam is truly fascinating.