Western Maryland Railway Historical Society

Remembering Maryland's "Fast Freight Line"

Union Bridge, Md / Jul 2025 / RWH

wmrhs_inset1 typewriter n the 125 years of its operation as an independent railroad the Western Maryland built a reputation as a truly "Fast Freight Line." From the laborers on the docks at Port Covington to the top brass, Western Maryland people were noted for their skill in the transportation field and the pride that showed in every aspect of their work. Today, the WM is a fond memory, its remnants serving as important links in the CSX Transportation chain plus various shortline railroads. Its memory survives, however, in the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society, Inc.

Western Maryland Railway Historical Society

wmrhs_state egyptian ounded in 1967, the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society maintains a small museum and rolling stock collection at the historic Union Bridge depot complex, in northeastern Maryland. The depot was constructed in 1902 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Once a busy segment of the Western Maryland's route from Baltimore through Hagerstown to points west, today this southern portion of the WM mainline — Emory Grove to Highfield — is operated by Genesee & Wyoming shortline Maryland Midland Railway. The Society is the steward of an extensive collection of Western Maryland Railway memorabilia, photographs, station signs, and archival material. The museum includes an N scale layout representing the route between Union Bridge to Twin Bridges, and the Society is also involved with a modular HO scale layout featuring various Western Maryland scenes. The Western Maryland Railway existed from 1852 to 1983, when it became a constituent part of the Chessie System merger and later CSX Transportation.