One might think that the Magnolia Cut Off is all downhill eastbound, since it roughly follows the Potomac River. However, as the Cut Off works east, the separation between the railroad and river increases to Doe Gully, one time location of Doe Gully Tunnel. The tunnel was eliminated when the Cut Off was completed in 1914. The grade against eastward trains was reduced from .8% to .04%, quite an accomplishment. A grade of .04% might not seem like much, but to this day it can take the wind out of the sails of a heavy eastbound.
On October 19, 1980, two B&O GP9s struggle with a heavy eastbound coal drag as it approaches Randolph Tunnel. Boiler equipped GP9 No. 6606 is a bit out of its environment with this train. It usually could be found in the Baltimore area and was regularly used in commuter service between Baltimore and Washington.
