Ghosts of Railroading's Past Alive and Well in Baltimore

UPDATED JULY 7, 2002

At one time, Baltimore held a proud status as a "Railroad Town." While not containing the massive yards seen in places like Chicago, Baltimore's dependence upon, and importance to the railroad was unmistakable, with lines radiating outward from the city that often criss-crossed and linked to other lines. The era of the railroad diminished in the years following World War II, as passenger and commuter services were dropped on some lines, while other routes were abandoned altogether.
Thankfully, many ghosts remain to serve as reminders of how important the rails were to the economy of the region. Here is a look at some interesting ghosts of railroading's past in the Baltimore area.

NOT ALL LINKS ARE ACTIVE YET
UPDATED JULY 7, 2002

THE MARYLAND & PENNSYLVANIA
(The "Ma & Pa")
The Baltimore & Lehigh RR This once famous railroad has now vanished largely into obscurity. While the grade is largely obscured in places, there is still much to show of this historic and charismatic line.

THE NORTHERN CENTRAL
Penna RR Northern Central Division This once busy corridor had at one time been relegated to little more than a weedy industrial track. Thanks to Light Rail construction, the Northern Central is alive and well, and retains much along it to tell it's story.

THE GREENSPRING BRANCH
B&S, WM Greenspring Branch Never an overwhelmingly profitable line for a long period of time, the Greenspring Branch still managed to survive the MA & PA in Baltimore, and even retains about a half mile of never removed trackage in the woods by Lake Roland.

THE WASHINGTON BALTIMORE & ANNAPOLIS
and the ANNAPOLIS SHORT LINE Two trips in time for one ticket price along the southern leg of the Light Rail line.

THE CATONSVILLE BRANCH
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Very neat, but odd little line reveals the effects when a line is left to revert to nature.

"THE PENNSY"
Amtrak's Northeast Corridor Despite its Future-minded, World-Class status as the premiere passenger line of the U.S., the Baltimore area's section of this busy mainline still can tell many tales which recall the sprits of the past.

PRR's Claremont Branch Once a viable fright branch off the Pennsy, there is still a little there to recall this line's brighter days.

ROYAL BLUE - TALES OF THE B&O
CSX's Main Line and Old Main Line The proud Homegrown sprit of the original B&O can still be found persisting through the region's busiest frieght line.

The WESTERN MARYLAND
through the Baltimore Area. Despite abandonment of once key trackage, the WM does persist, and carries with it charms unlike those of the area's other rail corridors.

STREET TRACKAGE
in the Baltimore Area. Now unused, these vestiges of the city's Industrial past manage to persist along certain stretches, for now!!!

UPDATED JULY 7, 2002

THE MARYLAND & PENNSYLVANIA (The "Ma & Pa") The Baltimore & Lehigh RR	This once famous railroad has now vanished largely into obscurity. While the grade is largely obscured in places, there is still much to show of this historic and charismatic line.
THE NORTHERN CENTRAL Penna RR Northern Central Division	This once busy corridor had at one time been relegated to little more than a weedy industrial track. Thanks to Light Rail construction, the Northern Central is alive and well, and retains much along it to tell it's story.
THE GREENSPRING BRANCH B&S, WM Greenspring Branch	Never an overwhelmingly profitable line for a long period of time, the Greenspring Branch still managed to survive the MA & PA in Baltimore, and even retains about a half mile of never removed trackage in the woods by Lake Roland.
THE WASHINGTON BALTIMORE & ANNAPOLIS and the ANNAPOLIS SHORT LINE	Two trips in time for one ticket price along the southern leg of the Light Rail line.
THE CATONSVILLE BRANCH of the Pennsylvania Railroad	Very neat, but odd little line reveals the effects when a line is left to revert to nature.
"THE PENNSY" Amtrak's Northeast Corridor	Despite its Future-minded, World-Class status as the premiere passenger line of the U.S., the Baltimore area's section of this busy mainline still can tell many tales which recall the sprits of the past.
PRR's Claremont Branch	Once a viable fright branch off the Pennsy, there is still a little there to recall this line's brighter days.
ROYAL BLUE - TALES OF THE B&O CSX's Main Line and Old Main Line	The proud Homegrown sprit of the original B&O can still be found persisting through the region's busiest frieght line.
The WESTERN MARYLAND through the Baltimore Area.	Despite abandonment of once key trackage, the WM does persist, and carries with it charms unlike those of the area's other rail corridors.
STREET TRACKAGE in the Baltimore Area.	Now unused, these vestiges of the city's Industrial past manage to persist along certain stretches, for now!!!