All aboard for an unforgettable journey through the mountains aboard No. 1309 — the largest regularly operating steam locomotive in the country!
Every great journey has a soundtrack. On the Frostburg Flyer, it’s the rhythm of steel wheels on iron rails, the echo of a steam whistle through a mountain hollow, and the low rumble of No. 1309 working hard up the grade.
Departing from Cumberland, Maryland, the Frostburg Flyer carries us deep into the Allegheny Mountains along one of the most scenic rail corridors in the East. The route winds through the dramatic cut of the Narrows, bends around the legendary Helmstetter’s Curve, crosses sparkling mountain streams, and climbs nearly 1,000 feet in elevation before threading through the historic 916‑foot Brush Tunnel — all in just over an hour.
At the top of the mountain, Frostburg awaits. Spend 90 minutes exploring the town’s shops, cafés, and restaurants, with complimentary shuttle service available on weekend departures. Then re‑board for the return trip down the mountain, with the valley spread out before you.
What to expect:
Join us for Chesapeake Forum’s first-ever overnight adventure!
We will leave the Easton Family YMCA by carpool at 7 am to arrive at the Cumberland station by 10:45 am for ticketing and boarding the train.
We have reserved Lounge Class seating for 20 people (recommended for its quieter, adults-only experience). Chesapeake Forum course leader, Thomas MacKay, will provide onboard narration as the sights roll by.
The Frostburg Lounge Car is a premium railcar offering unmatched comfort with plush leather armchairs, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and a celebratory champagne toast to begin our journey. As Maryland’s breathtaking scenery rolls past, we’ll enjoy Thomas’ commentary as well as attentive, personalized service from a private onboard bartender, serving a curated selection of craft cocktails, beer, wine, and soft drinks available for purchase. Full meal service is not included, but a late lunch will be available at restaurants in Frostburg.
ADA Accommodations: Due to the historic nature of the equipment, not all passenger cars are ADA-accessible. Wheelchairs can be accommodated only in Standard Coach at the Cumberland Depot (13 Canal Street). There is no ADA accessibility for deboarding at the Frostburg Depot (19 Depot Street).
Return & Overnight Options: We return to the station at 4pm, stay overnight in the historic town of Cumberland, or head back home.
Overnight Accommodations:
Please note: It is your responsibility to book overnight accommodations. This is high season in Cumberland, so book early!
For those opting to stay over in Cumberland, we were able to put a hold on 7 rooms at the new boutique Wills Hotel in downtown Cumberland.
If you select “overnight” when registering, we will email you a unique link to reserve a room at the group rate of $185 plus tax. We have held 4 rooms with one King bed and 3 with two Queen beds. If you are planning to share a room, choose one person to book. These rooms are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis. If our block is full, the hotel will do its best to accommodate you; otherwise, you and your carpool partners may choose from numerous nearby hotels. Options include: Hampton Inn Cumberland, Comfort Inn & Suites LaVale-Cumberland, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cumberland-LaVale.
Registering:
Please read carefully. We will coordinate carpooling based on your selections made during registration:
- Will you be carpooling from Easton? – Yes/No – I’ve made other plans
- Please choose one carpool option – I am willing to drive and have room for riders (see last question), I need a ride (please contribute for gas), I am flexible – either ride or drive, I will meet you at the train station no later than 10:45am
- Please choose one stay option – Overnight or Day Trip
- Driver with room for riders – Please tell us the number of people you have room to take with you AND IF you have already made plans to take others with you, please list who will be with you.
Feedback from Thomas’ past courses:
“Excellent speaker, lots of info at his fingertips, enjoyable and informative!”
“I loved this class. Tom provided an interesting narrative about what was behind many aspects of our rail history. He had insightful stories and his love of rail history and engagement with the participants made this a terrific program.”
“Fantastic Program! Tom Mackay is incredibly knowledgeable and clearly loves to share his interest in railroads.”
Please note: You need to arrive at the depot by 10:45am for ticketing and boarding. Your registration fee includes all train-ride fees, plus a nominal Chesapeake Forum overhead contribution. Our registration fee does NOT include overnight accommodations. If needed, you are responsible to made these on your own. **Seats for this program are giftable but not refundable unless there is someone on the waitlist to take the seat. **
Saturday | Oct 3 | 7am – 8:30pm* or overnight | FT by carpool (from the Easton YMCA front parking area to the Cumberland Depot, 13 Canal St, Cumberland, MD) | $120 (train only) *return trip assumes a stop for a bite to eat on the way home
