Salisbury Viaduct/B199.4

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Salisbury Viaduct was the longest bridge on the railroad. It spans the Casselman River Valley with a length of 1,908ft. The viaduct was abandoned in April 1975 as part of the abandoment east from Connellsville to the Blue Lick Branch here at the east end of the viaduct. The Blue Lick Branch served the Ponfeigh Mine and loaded coal well into the 1980's. The mine kept a section of the original mainline intact until the mine went out. This section ran from the mine east thru Meyersdale, Glade City, over Keystone Viaduct, and joined the B&O at Sand Patch. The Blue Lick Branch ran 3.7 miles to the Ponfeigh Mine. It left the mainline at the B199 milepost. Up the branch at the B199.2 was a 70 car capacity sidetrack that was used by the mine. Further up at the Ponfeigh Mine/B202.7 was another 70 car capacity sidetrack. Today the Salisbury Viaduct is part off the Allegheny Highlands Trail. The bridge was renovated by removing the crossties, pouring a concrete deck, and installing new railings. The bridge is very nicely done and should be visited by anyone interested in the WM or trains themselves. View Larger Map

WM photos of the bridge on August 7, 1917. These photos were taken during WWI, when it was believed that the large number of German Americans would sabatoge areas of interest during the war. Armed soldiers were placed at structures along the WM and B&O.

F Units in Fireball paint bring a coal train east up the grade and across Salisbury Viaduct. The entire trsin can be seen here on WM's second longest bridge. (Thanks to Jim Coshun for photo)

Western Maryland's Salisbury Viaduct just west of Meyersdale spans Rt.219, the B&O, and the Casselman River. The Salisbury Viaduct is WM's longest bridge. This photo was taken before the crossties and walkway railing was removed and replaced with the current concrete deck of the Allegheny Highland Trail. (Aug.29, 1996)

A WM Challenger heads east upgradeband across Salisbury Viaduct. (Thanks to Jim Coshun for photo)

Salisbury Viaduct in November 2004. By this time the crossties have been replaced with a new concrete deck and metal railings. The work was down earlier on in 1998. This first photo was taken down along Old Rt. 219.

Visited Salisbury Viaduct on a cold day in January 2004. First photo is from the western bank, and second is during construction. The concrete deck and railings are very nice for the railtrail. The deck and railings look as if they will last very long. This is what needs to be done to the bridges in the Paw Paw Bends.

Looking west out onto the Sailsbury Viaduct in 1977 just days before the rails were lifted from the bridge. Another similar photo years later after the rail trail was built on the birdge. Notice the "RAILWAY" showing thru the faded silver, turned green paint on the bridge above Rt. 219. This was part of the name of WESTERN MARYLAND RAILWAY that was white letters that were on the bridge when it was first painted blackn duiring steam. The bridge was later painted silver in the 60's. (1977, Don Biggs photo)&(November 2004)

Two early photos of tthe viaduct of what appears to be installation of the deck and after completed. (Clayton Walker photos)

A WM westbound rrolls downgrade and across Salisbury Viaduct. (unknown photographer)

At the east end of the viaduct looking east. (November 2004)

Looking west down the WM right-of-way from the western end of the viaduct. This photo was taken in January 2004.

About a mile or so west of the Salisbury Viaduct the WM crosses Petenbrick Rd. Here the road goes under the WM thru this concrete underpass. (11-9-04)

Looking west and east from atop the Petenbrick Road underpass. (11-9-04)

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Go West
Go up the Blue Lick Branch
Go East