MILEPOST = EP 34.6
ACCESSIBILITY = EASY
AMENITIES = LODGING, FOOD, GAS (IN COLUMBIA)
PHOTO ANGLES = SOMEWHAT LIMITED
From left to right: 13G hauling MOW equipment at the Blue Rock Road crossing; an unidentified westbound hopper train at the community park; 685 with a lone DASH-9 passes the parking lot adjacent to the boat ramp on Blue Rock Road
PENNSY E8S LEAD AN EXCURSION WESTBOUND PAST THE COMMUNITY PARK
1:08 - 4.0MB
33A CROSSES BLUE ROCK ROAD, JUST PAST THE OLD SITE OF CP PORT 1:37 - 5.0MB
24M IN THE SNOW; VIEWED FROM ROUTE 441 (PIC BELOW) 1:12 - 4.0MB
rEADING & NORTHERN COAL TRAIN 685 AT BLUE ROCK ROAD (PIC aBOVE) 1:21 - 4.01MB
62A WITH 59 CARS OF COMBINES - ENTIRE TRAIN ROLL-BY!! 2:05 - 7.0MB
After leaving Columbia, the Port Road parallels 441 all the way to Washington Boro (about 4 miles). There are numerous places to view the action along 441. There are 3 private crossings along this stretch, which are used by the fire company to access the river. There was a debate a few years ago as to whether these were public or private crossings. I never found out what the final outcome was, I am assuming they are private. I have used them before to take photos but i have been given a trespassing warning at one as well. My advice, only set up at one of the crossings if you know somethings coming.
As for railroad operations, there are signals located at MP 35 (L351 & L352) and a detector at MP36. The detector at 36 only scans track 1 so you will not hear westbounds on track 2. Perhaps the safest place to watch is the park located just south of the junction of 441 and 999. The park closes at dusk, so you cannot spend the night here, but for daylight trains this spot is excellent. You could also park across the street in the gravel area (not sure who owns this). Another photo possibility is to walk south on 441 around the "s" curve and shoot across the farm field. Another location is the boat ramp located on Blue Rock Road. To get to the boat ramp, continue about a mile south on 441 from the park and turn right onto Blue Rock. There is a parking lot on the left-hand side. The crossing to access the boat ramp is public and is another good spot for photos. Like the other park, the lot here is also closed overnight. You will notice as you look south from the crossing that the westbound track slopes downwards. At one time, this was the location of CP PORT, which was the connection of the Port Road and the A&S Branch from Parkesburg. The westbound track actually crossed under the A&S and rejoined the eastbound track at CP CRES. The A&S was abandoned in 1990, and CP PORT was no longer needed.
