Fun Fact: Only Three Counties in Maryland No Longer Use Railroads. Do You Know Which Ones?

While steamboats have vanished, rail service lives on in all Maryland counties except Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Talbot.

Maryland played an integral part in the creation of the railroad industry—the Baltimore & Ohio, the first intercity railroad in the Western Hemisphere, began in Baltimore in 1827. Before interstate highways, Bay Bridges and Tunnels, and motor vehicle transportation as we know it today, railroads were the way to travel between Maryland cities and towns. Baltimore City and the 23 Counties were all served by rail in one fashion or another, as well as steamboats in the counties along the bay.

Courtesy: Visit Maryland

There are plenty of railroad-related sites to see in Maryland. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad travels from Cumberland to Frostburg and back or take a ride on a vintage 1920s passenger car on the Walkersville Southern Railroad north of Frederick—you can even enjoy dinner and special events aboard some of their runs.

Source: Visit Maryland

Read other MACo Fun Facts on transportation:

Which Maryland County Holds America’s Oldest Privately Owned Ferry Route?

One of the World’s Oldest Railroad Bridges Is in Maryland – Where Is It?

Which Maryland Counties Were Once Connected by a Ferry?

Do you have a fun fact to share about your county? If so, please send it to Allison Valliant to be featured in MACo’s weekly Fun Fact on Conduit Street.