Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad

Until the late 1980s, the Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad operated 6 miles of shortline trackage between Clifford (Baltimore) and Glen Burnie. The pike was incorporated in 1935 to take over a 30-mile line between its namesake cities. Since 1897, this trackage had been operated by a variety of previous companies (including electric interurban service from 1914 on). BLA interchange was with the Baltimore & Ohio. The shortline operated passenger service until 1950, including specials for students at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Freight service as far south as Glen Burnie lasted until 1970 and, after electrification ceased, utilized a lone General Electric 70-tonner to switch as many as 40 customers at the peak of freight service. Most traffic south of Baltimore dwindled in subsequent years, the line was severely cut back, and remaining operations ceased by the late 1980s. Interchange in the final years was with CSX Transportation near Baltimore. In 1991, the property was acquired by the Maryland Mass Transit Administration for light rail use. A portion of the right-of-way survives as the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail.