Multiple railroad lines connect to one another in Hagerstown, Maryland, making it a "hub city" and busy place at the turn of the 20th century. The Norfolk & Western Railroad can connect with the Western Maryland and Cumberland Valley Railroads as well as branches of the Baltimore & Ohio. Hagerstown remains a busy rail town today.
The Cumberland Valley and Norfolk & Western link provides an important alternate route for freight traffic bypassing the congested area around Washington, DC and was supported through Pullman passenger service between southern Appalachia and New York City.
Hagerstown also had a 25 stall roughhouse. It was torn down in March 1999.
In 1943 the Penn. Railroad Company acquired six Class Y3 2-8-8-2 articulated engines from the Norfolk & Western. It is possible Wendell's engine was one of these six.
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