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Site last updated: March 26, 2005 (first update since Feb
2002!)
The Western Maryland Railway was a "short-line" railway in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US that existed from it's humble late nineteenth century beginnings to around 1983. The route map below denotes the major city connections and all the smaller towns between them. As you can see, the line was centralized in Maryland but extended into Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well. I would personally estimate that around 1/2 to 2/3 of the original WM Railway (dating back to the 1920's) has been abandoned, or is not in use by a major freight carrier today.
Some notable things that made the WM stand out are:
Some of the best maintenance standards of any U.S. railroad
Had the highest section of trackage east of the Mississippi
Boasted some of the best overall engineering of any RR ever constructed
Had a route that was strategically more direct than it's main competitor, the B&O and thus...
Had an above average number of tunnels and bridges.
But what makes the railroad unique to the general public today is that it still lives on as one of the nation’s most superb networks of scenic railroads and rail-trails. Not only that, but the WM's right of way touches or comes near some of the nation's most historically rich areas, such as Gettysburg, PA. On top of that, the road offers access to some very remote backcountry areas that few previously had access to. These are some of the most beautiful areas in our nation.
What was the reason for WM's abandonments? Well, it started back in 1968 when B&O and C&O railroads were given permission to take over operations of the WM. Informal plans for the takeover went back even further than that. This was part of a large railroad consolidation trend that started in the mid sixties. The WM continued to operate under its own identity even from 1973 on, when the organization known as the Chessie System (B&O, C&O, WM) took over entirely. However, as the mergers continued to mesh together, the WM had more than a handful of strikes against them.
Strikes against the WM:
Under a large system, the WM's rolling and power equipment became difficult to maintain.
Its numerous bridges and tunnels became too expensive to maintain
Its mainlines were all single track with passing sidings, so to be adopted as a new B&O mainline, it would have to be 2 tracks
Its mainlines became obsolete as they paralleled the B&O's in many places
B&O's competitor, Norfolk & Western wanted the WM. Since it directly connected with the road at Connellsville and around Hagerstown, there would have been good use for entire subdivisions of the WM. So starting in 1975, Chessie began abandoning WM rights of way in all 3 states, pulling up the rails and ties in the process. The first subdivisions to go (see below) were the Connellsville and the Western. Finally, in 1980 CSX Corporation was born as B&O/C&O/WM merged with the Seaboard system, and set out on a mission to complete the takeover of numerous lines east of the Mississippi. As a part of the process, the WM was completely merged into the B&O by 1983, and by 1987 any remaining traces of the B&O and C&O became part of CSX's rail empire, along with Seaboard’s system. Soon after that, CSX continued to abandon/shut down more sections of WM lines and hubs, and very few are left in operation today.
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 *Eventually, I intend to turn both of these graphics into an image map so you can click on whichever part of the system you'd like to visit. Until then, please use the frame menu on the left to navigate WM's system and this site. |
Although I've invested quite a bit of time and effort into my own research, there are always those who have done better, or have studied the WM longer. One of those few brave souls who has actually had the time, selflessness, and dedication to do this is Jeremy Cooper. Throughout my tour, I will link to his site, http://www.wmwestsub.com many times . I've corresponded with him directly on a few historical issues, and I'm behind his efforts 100 %. Through our individual efforts, we've done our best to capture the ever-changing WM over the last decade and a half.
 
 #22 sits on an unused
siding attached to some old baggage/pass. cars.
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