Western Maryland Scenic acquires former Conemaugh & Black Lick switcher

CUMBERLAND, Md. — The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has acquired former Conemaugh & Black Lick Railroad SW7 locomotive No. 111, a fully functional EMD end-cab switcher which the railroad plans to use on some of its seasonal excursion trains.

The locomotive built in 1949 is the last of 25 such locomotives that served the railroad formed by Bethlehem Steel to serve its mills in Johnstown, Pa. It was acquired with the assistance of the Kovalchick family — owners of the Kovalchick Corp. scrap firm and former owners of the East Broad Top Railroad — and JC and Annie McHugh of McHugh Locomotive and Equipment.

“We are deeply grateful to the Kovalchick family and to JC and Annie McHugh for their unwavering commitment to railroad preservation,” Wes Heinz, Western Maryland Scenic’s executive director, said in a social media post. “Their dedication ensures that locomotive No. 111 will continue to serve the public — not just as a piece of history, but as a working part of our railway’s ongoing story.”

The locomotive was acquired in June of this year. It is expected to be moved to the Western Maryland Scenic in time to make its public debut during the railroad’s upcoming RailFest event [see “Western Maryland Scenic announces plans …,” Trains.com, Aug. 2, 2025].

The locomotive will initially retain its current black-and-yellow from the Conemaugh & Black Lick, but Western Maryland Scenic says it has long-term plans for a “special and unique appearance that will celebrate both her heritage and future role on the railroad.”