Southern Maryland Railroad

[LocoEngineer]

I am originally from the Pittsburgh area which has numerous railroads in the area. Since moving to Southern Maryland in 1987, I have been curious about the railroad that once extended to NAS Patuxent River.

A friend of mine who has lived in the area for a long time told me about some of the artifacts from the railroad that were still around. I took some photos of our discoveries. They are posted at http://www.geocities.com/ken72465/SMRR.htm

I am interested in finding photos of some of the trains in various locations along the line. I have already inquired at the library in Leonardtown and only found some references of a few paragraphs.

Thanks,

-Ken

[Railroad (Premo)]

The Enterprise ran a story about it, with a photo, a few years back. I scanned the article into my PC, and I'm not sure if I still have it. I saved the (very poor) photo of a converted truck that served as their locomotive in early years. Later rail service, established to service PAX, used more conventional rolling stock.

[sowhat]

Check out the Laural Grove Sub Shop (in front of the ball park there) He's got some information about the SoMd railroad and pictures on the walls.

[CableChick (Premo)]

Originally Posted by LocoEngineer

I am originally from the Pittsburgh area which has numerous railroads in the area. Since moving to Southern Maryland in 1987, I have been curious about the railroad that once extended to NAS Patuxent River.

A friend of mine who has lived in the area for a long time told me about some of the artifacts from the railroad that were still around. I took some photos of our discoveries. They are posted at http://www.geocities.com/ken72465/SMRR.htm

I am interested in finding photos of some of the trains in various locations along the line. I have already inquired at the library in Leonardtown and only found some references of a few paragraphs.

Thanks,

-Ken

The Southern Maryland Railroad was chartered in June 1900 and operated until 1914 when it was acquired by the washington, potomac & chesapeake, which itself became the washington, brandywine & pt. lookout in august 1918, and was nationalized that same year (world war I) by the federal government. it remained under federal control until july 1942, when it was abandoned.

[CableChick (Premo)]

Originally Posted by LocoEngineer

I am originally from the Pittsburgh area which has numerous railroads in the area. Since moving to Southern Maryland in 1987, I have been curious about the railroad that once extended to NAS Patuxent River.

A friend of mine who has lived in the area for a long time told me about some of the artifacts from the railroad that were still around. I took some photos of our discoveries. They are posted at http://www.geocities.com/ken72465/SMRR.htm

I am interested in finding photos of some of the trains in various locations along the line. I have already inquired at the library in Leonardtown and only found some references of a few paragraphs.

Thanks,

-Ken

the southern maryland railroad was chartered in june 1900 and operated until 1914 when it was acquired by the washington, potomac & chesapeake, which itself became the washington, brandywine & pt. lookout in august 1918, and was nationalized that same year (world war I) by the federal government. it remained under federal control until july 1942, when it was abandoned.


Just a tidbit ... my dad is one of the foremost experts on the history of US Railroads.

[Chasey_Lane]

Very cool pictures, Loco!

[lkt]

Awesome!!!

[Henry]

Sorry I have not gptten back to you sooner.

I think if you talk with the librarian at the St. Mary's County Historical Society, she will be able to direct you as I am almost they must have a file on RR, including photographs.

Also I would like to refer you to Regina Combs Hammett's "History of St. Mary's County, Maryland, 1634-1990", pages 274-281 and 485.

There is a gentleman in Leonardtown, who has an extraoridinary collection
of County photographs. The Historical Society should be able help you conractthis person.

In any event get back to me.

Henry

[Hessian]

Walk a portion of the Drum Point trestle that was built around 1902,...I have a very wooded stretch of about 3/4 mile that I have limited access to. There was a HUGE washout when a hurricane came through about 6 years ago. (The culvert had been clogged for decades) and if I go the opposite direction at low tide...you can see the timbers that built the bridge across Quaker swamp. Of course there are no markers and much of it is on private land but it might be fun for a RR enthusiast.

Up in Prince Frederick there is a very visible RR embankment less than 300 yards from the Safeway-seen from Dare's Beach Road-south side.

PM me if interested in a woods-hike down the Drum Point RR cut.

[Henry]

I am only vaguely aware that there was a rail line to Solomons through Prince Frederick. However, I do know someone who probably knows all about it. Harriet Stout, Director of the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum.
She can b e reached at stoutm@co.cal.md.us.

Henry