07-05-2024, 07:10 PM
I've been reading George Hilton's book - "The Ma & Pa: A History of the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad" that one of my coworkers gave to me a few years ago. The Ma & Pa: A History of the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad - Hilton, George W.: 9780801862946 - AbeBooks
Fascinating stuff about a railroad with grandiose visions never really realized. I live a mere mile or so from it's right of way, and I occasionally walk the "Ma and Pa" trail here in Harford County which is on or near the roadbed that carried freight and passengers (eventually) from North Avenue in Baltimore up to York while hitting small towns and industries along the way. Before the interstate highway system and before everyone had multiple cars, this railroad helped farmers and the small towns bring their goods and services to markets in those two cities. I've also hiked a lot in Rocks State Park, where there is still a bridge abutment and what's left of the roadbed running through the park adjacent to Deer Creek. There's a natural gorge there and you'd never think you were still in Maryland.
What's also fascinating is that the railroad began operation as two distinct railroads each in narrow (3') gauge, and in order to hit all of these small towns, the routing was relatively insane for a railroad, which can be seen by consulting the map here: The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad - Abandoned Rails. George talks about the extreme twists and turns by comparing it to the Rio Grande mainline, and the comparison isn't even close - the Ma and Pa was the equivalent of a roller coaster thrill ride, and it travelled through some very picturesque countryside.
If I were to model steam...... I might have to give modeling the Ma and Pa a try....
I'll add to this thread as I get more familiar with the history. The entirety of the railroad is within an hour of my homestead.
Fascinating stuff about a railroad with grandiose visions never really realized. I live a mere mile or so from it's right of way, and I occasionally walk the "Ma and Pa" trail here in Harford County which is on or near the roadbed that carried freight and passengers (eventually) from North Avenue in Baltimore up to York while hitting small towns and industries along the way. Before the interstate highway system and before everyone had multiple cars, this railroad helped farmers and the small towns bring their goods and services to markets in those two cities. I've also hiked a lot in Rocks State Park, where there is still a bridge abutment and what's left of the roadbed running through the park adjacent to Deer Creek. There's a natural gorge there and you'd never think you were still in Maryland.
What's also fascinating is that the railroad began operation as two distinct railroads each in narrow (3') gauge, and in order to hit all of these small towns, the routing was relatively insane for a railroad, which can be seen by consulting the map here: The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad - Abandoned Rails. George talks about the extreme twists and turns by comparing it to the Rio Grande mainline, and the comparison isn't even close - the Ma and Pa was the equivalent of a roller coaster thrill ride, and it travelled through some very picturesque countryside.
If I were to model steam...... I might have to give modeling the Ma and Pa a try....
I'll add to this thread as I get more familiar with the history. The entirety of the railroad is within an hour of my homestead.
Check out my "Rainbows in the Gorge" website: http://morristhemoosetm.wixsite.com/rainbows
