Western Maryland Railroad

In 1852 a railroad began to creep into Western Maryland in the hopes of capturing the trade of the mountain counties for Baltimore. Originally known as the Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick Railroad, the Western Maryland Railroad expanded west partially building its own track and partially taking over of smaller railroads. Among those taken over was the Gettysburg Railroad, which carried Lincoln on the day of his famous speech. After the Civil War its growth accelerated under the leadership of Confederate General John Miffin Hood. It was mainly a freight line, carrying 7 times as much cargo east as it did west. In 1927 it became a subsidiary of the B&O. During the second half of this century its routes were slowly abandoned or taken over by other railroads. The old headquarters in Union Bridge have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it operates as a museum run by the Western Maryland Railroad Historical Society.

Facts and Figures

Directions

Hours Of Operation: Every Sun, 1-4pm, Groups - appointment only, Closed Easter, Christmas, New Year's Day.

Address: 41 Main St., Union Bridge, MD

Phone: 410-775-0150

From I-70 take exit 62 onto MD 75.
Follow MD 75 north into Union Bridge
The highway will become Main St. in Union Bridge.

Map

References:

Maryland: a guide to the Old Line State,
"Western Maryland Joins the Century Club, Railway Age, 5/12/52
www.mdisfun.org, www.wmrr.com, www.trainweb.com/mvmra/wmrhs.htm