The line's single-lane underpasses will probably be widened during the 21st century.

Link: 1945

The Abingdon Road overpass is a nice platform for train watching.

Readers asked for an overhead view of an engine...

A doll post is the upright arm on a signal pole between the main signal head and a dwarf CPL. It notifies train operators that each signal controls a different track. Masts with doll posts were made taller than others for better visibility from either track.

Here at East Van Bibber the B&O had considered a building a line called the Patapsco and Susquehanna Branch which would have connected to the Old Main Line east of Sykesville near Gorsuch, thus bypassing busy Baltimore and its Howard Street Tunnel bottleneck. The project did not get past the planning stage.

The Van Bibber siding is roughly 2 miles long.

CSX's newer signals do not employ doll posts, instead each track gets a signal on a separate pole.

The bridge over James Run is notable for having its 22-A bridge number embossed in concrete. This is the only such example of which I am aware. Found another? Let me know.

The length of unsupported steel is also uncommon. I believe the stone portion dates to original line construction, with the concrete and steel coming later.

All the busier roads, such as Riverside Parkway, were grade separated during the 20th century.

Owners of houses that pre-date a railroad can demand, and get, a private crossing, at least if the railroad wants to build through that owner's property.

"Sophia's Dairy (Probably Sophia's Dowry) Left by Capt. Hall of Cranberry in 1737 to his daughter Sophia, who married Col. Thomas White, father of Bishop Wm. White of Philadelphia, Mrs. Robert Morris and Sophia, who married Aquilla Hall. He built this house in 1768, one of the finest colonial buildings in Harford County."

Links: HMDB entry, ~1940, house interior 2017

A mile-long siding (right) accompanies an industrial spur (left).

DPUs need not face the direction of travel, as demonstrated by this westbound sending trash to a Virginia landfill.

At least these juice empties, such as TPIX 3217, enjoyed an air gap from the trash cars. The shadow is cast by MD 7, Philadelphia Road, which is a paved and now-grade-separated version of the original colonial road that connected Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Northeast of that Philadelphia Road bridge (distance) Frito-Lay's factory makes the edible kind of chips. Crossbucks, gates, and flashers mark their private crossing.

The oldest of the branch's culverts still have cut stones, like these.

West of milepost 64, a now-disused siding splits to serve Aberdeen Station.

The eastern end of that siding reaches the station.

One of few extant Frank Furness designs, Aberdeen Station is seen here shortly after preservation efforts had begun.

During 2015, the station was moved west to sit 40 feet farther from the tracks.

Link: station move photos 2015

CSX 4737 and CSX 8810 roll past the station prior to its relocation.

Since the move, the staion has received a new roof, and temporary coverings elsewhere. There are still plenty of gaps, enough that the aged structure has become a favored home of bees and wasps.

Link: MHT entry 2002 (PDF)

Back in 2009, much of what B&O and CSX had left inside remained. Such leftovers have since been cleared out. More interior views follow on the next tour page.

Nitpicky railfan comment: the station has this new sign, but that's not a B&O typeface/font! Instead, it's closer to that used by CSX.

Modelers know this digital mockup was more the sign's appearance during the B&O era.

Link: RailFonts site

As of 2022, the station still needs plenty of restoration. If you can help, visit the site linked below.

Link: AberdeeenBOStation.org