MD_Williamsport

This view shows an ancient lift bridge over the C&O Canal in Williamsport, MD. A Western Maryland branch that served a power plant used this bridge; the rails are still in place (best seen next to the shed at left). There is a rusted siding on the far side of the canal that passes through the trees and crossed the WM branch on a diamond [still in place]. Judging by the height of the trees and the condition of the track, it has been several decades since any trains passed by here! Highway bridge is US 11. Photo from Mike Palmer, November 2003.

This spur does not appear on most atlases, but it is shown on the local city map for the Hagerstown area! This branch left the Western Maryland main on the north side of Williamsport, passed through a cut west of town, and then terminated at a power plant on the Potomac River.

The cut [out of view to the right of the photo above] is now used as a dumping ground for trash and other debris. Remnants of the track are still in place within the boundary lines of the C&O Canal Park, and some ties are still in place in the gravel parking lot for the local canal museum.