Frederick to Thurmont -
Potomac Edison

 

 

This shows the Potomac Edison right of way facing south, where it crosses Bethel Road near the site of Locust Grove Station.  This view is typical of much of the right of way, where the property owners have reclaimed the land where the tracks used to be.  Photo from June 2003 courtesy Mike Palmer.

 

 

 

 

 

The Potomac Edison was an electric interburban that was originally known as the Hagerstown & Frederick.   In addition to the line featured here, there was also a line from Frederick to Hagerstown, with branches to Boonsboro and Jefferson.  Most of the lines were abandoned during the depression. (Potomac Edison is a unit of Allegheny Power).

This line travels mostly through what is now private property, through farms and open land in north central Maryland.  The right of way is easily seen from a distance, as it is still used by Alleghany Power for electric transmission lines. 

Heading north from Frederick, the line passed through Yellow Springs, Bethel, Locust Grove, Lake View, Lewistown, Creagerstown, Catoctin, Red Hill and Thurmont, where it interchanged with the Western Maryland (now Maryland Midland).  In Thurmont, a paved trail follows the right of way for a mile or so through town.

 

 

This photo shows the Potomac Edison right of way facing south from Main Street in Thurmont.  The former junction with the Western Maryland is less than a half mile behind the camera. Photo from June 2003 courtesy Mike Palmer.