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Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
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Author:  Alexander D. Mitchell IV [ Sat Aug 16, 2025 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
I'm just leaving this here without comment:

The Facebook post gives a fairly concise overview:

https://www.facebook.com/WMRGISC/posts/ ... D31BdcfZol

UPDATE: Wrong link posted before, sorry

If you want to do some deep dive:

Quote:
AI Summary of initial application package 7/28/25--

https://webpscxb.psc.state.md.us/DMS/recentcases Case#9805

Summary – CPCN Application for Star Solar Allegany South LLC
Project Overview
Star Solar Allegany South LLC (an affiliate of TotalEnergies) petitions the Maryland PSC for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct a 4.95 MWac community solar facility on ~38.5 acres at 11515 Cash Valley Road NW, Cumberland, MD. The project will use ground-mounted photovoltaic panels, interconnect with Potomac Edison, and serve community solar subscribers under Maryland’s Community Solar Pilot Program.
Site & Design
Disturbance footprint: ~16 acres within the 38.5-acre parcel
Author:  Pat Fahey [ Mon Aug 18, 2025 8:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
Hi
Here is a photo taken off of Facebook showing the proposed Solar Plant at Helmsetters curve,,, the photo is a screen shot,, Pat.
Having the solar Plant at the curve would change the total looks of this historical location, that has remained the same looks for years.. I am totally against this project,, it takes away the purpose of the curve,, and the looks,, of the county side... Pat,,,from Massachusetts.
Attachment:
File comment: A screen of the proposed solar Plant
Firefox_Screenshot_2025-08-18T12-22-29.647Z reaixe,,.png
Firefox_Screenshot_2025-08-18T12-22-29.647Z reaixe,,.png [ 210.65 KiB | Viewed 16320 times ]
Author:  PrrOpCrew [ Mon Aug 18, 2025 12:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
Here we go again with the same usual questions, do the riders care what pulls the trains AND what they see along during their ride? The railfans which usually don't buy the tickets to ride the trains, but are all about having photo taken in a pristine spot of beauty are grabbing their torches and pitchforks, but then gawk when you tell them to buy the farm if you don't like it. THAT is what it takes. Are you or anyone else going to buy every piece of property along your favorite excursion line so this way it remains pristine in your view?

If everyone believed that the atmosphere should remain pristine and not be dusturbed in the name of progress, we'd still be wearing loin clothes and wouldn't have railroads to enjoy at all.
Author:  Pat Fahey [ Mon Aug 18, 2025 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
Hi John
I am sorry that you disagree, with my post,, let me ask you this, when was the last time you brought a ticket to support a tourist line.. I have ridden behind the WMSR 1309,, I have been to Helmsetters curve... to photograph the train..
You seem to boost about any change,, I care about the historical valve of what might be taken away... No I do live in Maryland,,
I do care on what is pulling the train,, mainly Steam,, I am a railfan,, yes you are somewhat correct,, on your answer...do riders care what is pulling the train... on the Western Maryland Scenic RR...
The only one that can answer that question is the railroad,,, does Steam bring in more revenue and fill seats than diesel... on the route to Frostburg,,, again the the railroad is can answer the question..
John the tourist fill the seats,, Steam just might fill more seats,, than Diesel,,, I am not trying to start a back and forth disagreement,,, but I am still against seeing the fore coming project,, take away on what the curve, is all about... the pristeen county side,, the farm,, etc etc.
The only ones that can make difference are the people of Maryland,, they can still tell the state, or county the Solar Farm is not needed... and protect the curve...
So John now what are you prepared to do,,, as for me I want to see the Curve Protected,, and NO SOLAR FARM.... even I am from Massachusetts,, and have no say in the matter...
I said my say,, I do hope other railfans, will stand behind me,,, Pat.
Author:  The_Pine29 [ Mon Aug 18, 2025 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
Ok,

i dug through my pictures from June

my photo should show with arrows the project site

Attachments:
Ground_View.png
Ground_View.png [ 1.37 MiB | Viewed 16090 times ]
Author:  Ed Kapuscinski [ Mon Aug 18, 2025 11:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
Would people prefer a housing development or a data center?
Author:  Crescent-Zephyr [ Tue Aug 19, 2025 9:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
PrrOpCrew wrote:
do the riders care what pulls the trains AND what they see along during their ride? The railfans which usually don't buy the tickets to ride the trains, but are all about having photo taken in a pristine spot of beauty are grabbing their torches and pitchforks, but then gawk when you tell them to buy the farm if you don't like it. Are you or anyone else going to buy every piece of property along your favorite excursion line so this way it remains pristine in your view?


For the record, the railroad photographers I've seen post on facebook all say the solar farm won't really be in the way of the classic photos.

I would guess that the riders care about what they see... "scenic" is in the name of the train after all!

I know that Illinois Railway Musuem and Strasburg both contribute money to keep the right of way scenic - not sure about others.
Author:  Randy Gustafson [ Tue Aug 19, 2025 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
OK, before anyone starts griping at the railroad, remember that they do not own their own right-of-way, let alone have any rights over adjacent property.
The county owns the right of way, WMSR is the operator.

Most counties (even there) have a planning commission of sorts, as well as minimal zoning rules, that get into these issues, and have to at least form the appearance of public input as part of the process. If this bothers you, go that route rather than assuming WMSR has much say about this.

I think the prototype for this, to a certain extent, is what Strasburg has done to form a land trust alongside the ROW to preserve viewsheds, but they only have 4 miles.

Old story worth reviewing:
https://lancasteronline.com/news/1st-fa ... 218c6.html
Author:  LeoA [ Tue Aug 19, 2025 12:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
The East Broad Top I recall had to fight a big project back in the 90's that would've saw high tension power lines going over their route in a half dozen locations.

For those that are basically defending this, it's not like it's just one unimportant part of WMSR's route that will be seeing a solar farm built next to the tracks. It's their most well known and iconic location on their route.

I do agree that there are worse neighbors to have. My home has a solar farm across the road and another behind my home, which doesn't thrill me but at least they're quiet and it doesn't impact my wildlife visitors. But this location at Helmstetter's Curve is one worthy of preservation rather than development. There's no shortage of sites for solar farms, but there's only one Helmstetter's Curve. A big solar farm is going to do severe harm to the location's atmosphere.
Author:  The_Pine29 [ Thu Aug 21, 2025 12:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
In my Opinion

1. It is the Property Owners Land and he/she can decide what should be done in the best interest of his/her lively hood.

2. People or party in Disagreement with this should have come out of the wood works years ago when this Solar Movement Started and join or become elected officials for County or Townships in order to make legislation that prevents Solar Industry from Invading Natural area's and Force them in the Impermeable Area's Like Shopping Centers with massive building and parking Lots

3. People or Party in Disagreement should purchase lands along Desired Routes to Preserve desired area.

it is easy to say it should not happen but it is hard to do either #2 or #3
Author:  PMC [ Thu Aug 21, 2025 10:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
The_Pine29 wrote:
Force them in the Impermeable Area's Like Shopping Centers with massive building and parking Lots

This idea makes a lot of sense to me, take say a Wally World parking lot and build a frame with solar panels, easy to work on, not only would it generate electricity, it would keep those big black parking lots from generating heat, and also keep your car cool while shopping. It will be 101°F tomorrow and Saturday in Portland.
Author:  mmi16 [ Fri Aug 22, 2025 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
PMC wrote:
The_Pine29 wrote:
Force them in the Impermeable Area's Like Shopping Centers with massive building and parking Lots

This idea makes a lot of sense to me, take say a Wally World parking lot and build a frame with solar panels, easy to work on, not only would it generate electricity, it would keep those big black parking lots from generating heat, and also keep your car cool while shopping. It will be 101°F tomorrow and Saturday in Portland.


Building Solar installations on big box store building roofs and/or parking lots to power those facilities and potentially sell excess power to the local power companies. There is a lot of acreage and power generation potential that are just being wasted. If companies are all about profits they are giving up virtually free money by not building solar above the footprint of their actual facilities.

Remember, back in WW II Boeing built a 'city of camouflage on top of its plant(s) on the West Coast to hide those plants from the potential of Japanese bombers.

Footprints of facilities can perform multiple functions.
Author:  cjvrr [ Fri Aug 22, 2025 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Solar Plant Proposed at WMSR Helmstetter's Curve
Solar over parking lots. I agree this is an excellent secondary use of that space, but I would note that firefighters in my area don't care for treating a car fire under the panels. The panels are always generating electricity and they are concerned about electrocution.

Additionally the panels need to be correctly designed for snow and wind loads and how the snow may slide off the panels.

The govt agency I work for installed panels over a parking lot and they were a bit short of the back end of the parking spaces. When the snow melted a bit, the entire pile of snow slid off and damaged every car parked underneath. I believe it was 30-40 cars. A very large insurance payout resulted.
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