“ The Sheepskin Route”

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FM&P Subdivision of the B&O
     The Fairmont, Morgantown & Pittsburgh Railroad Company (FM&P) operated between Uniontown, PA, and Fairmont, WV, on what became known as the “Sheepskin Route.” Here are two stories about the nickname.  The first is that many farmers raised sheep and some would get loose and block the tracks.  The second explanation is that Morgantown is home to West Virginia University, where students receive sheepskins (diplomas) when they graduate.

      In the late 1890’s the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad acquired the FM&P and the 11 miles of track from the Fayette County Railroad connecting Uniontown to the B&O main line. This area was known as the “Coke Region” because thousands of beehive ovens operated in this area. In the 1950’s most of the coke traffic relocated to Pittsburgh, but there was a great deal of freight traffic until the 1970’s. Regular passenger service ended in 1953.  In the 1980’s Chessie System removed the tracks from Smithfield, PA to Morgantown, WV.

     In 1996 CSXT sold the remaining line to the Fay-Penn Industrial Development Corp. The Southwest  Pennsylvania Railroad handles freight service, and the Fayette Central Railroad offers tourist trains to allow people to “Ride the Sheepskin Line.”