Washington County Property Owners Along Proposed Civil War Rail Trail Could be Impacted by Brunswick Line Study

Cover Photo: File photo of a passenger train.

UPDATED 2/20/2023: This article was updated on 2/20/2023 to include a link to the Brunswick Line report, as well as clarify that this is one of several options for extending the MARC line. While this information was included in initial social media posts promoting this article, it was accidentally omitted from the article itself. Many thanks to Maryland Senator Paul Corderman for pointing out the omission.

HAGERSTOWN, MD News (1/29/2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released a new report, The Brunswick Line Study Technical Report, which includes a proposal for reopening the former B&O line in Washington County and utilizing the entire corridor previously proposed for the Chesapeake and Western Rail Trail (CWRT), potentially impacting Washington County property owners. No mention of the proposed CWRT is present in the Brunswick Line Study Report.

The study included several possible extensions of the MARC Brunswick line, the most impactful of which includes the reopening of the former B&O line as outlined in this article. Full details regarding all possible options can be found in the original report.

The proposed development of this alignment will require 18.2 acres of right-of-way acquisition from the State of Maryland Correctional Institution, and reconstruction of a bridge over Antietam Creek as well as other bridges in the southern section of the corridor over Israel Creek and Little Antietam Creek. A new passenger rail connecting track would also be required at Weverton at the approximate location of the Appalachian Trail and US-340. Finally, relocation of a section of the Appalachian Trail would be required where it crosses under US-340.

The proposed reopening of the former B&O line for passenger rail service would significantly impact property owners in Washington County who have claimed parts of the corridor as their own. Many property owners have previously voiced concern regarding the CWRT, stating that they believe that parts of the former B&O Rail line are now their property. Looking at county land parcel maps, some of the county land parcel maps indeed show private ownership of the former B&O line.

A 2016 CWRT report states that about 38 driveways serving residences utilize portions of the corridor property and may be in potential non-conformance with the County’s subdivision ordinance if the driveways are built on state-owned land without permissions. About 14 sheds in the corridor may be encroachments and violations to the County Building Code. These driveways and sheds would also be affected by any efforts to reopen the B&O rail line, creating similar property disputes as when the CWRT was first proposed.

It should also be noted that this option utilizes an abandoned railroad that was shut down and physically removed from service in the mid-1970s. Over the years, it has been claimed by nature and adjacent private property owners. As a result, rebuilding this segment will be very expensive for Maryland taxpayers, costing over $500 million according to MDOT.

The proposed reopening of the former B&O line for passenger rail service by MDOT may have significant implications for property owners in Washington County who have claimed parts of the corridor as their own. While the proposal offers the potential for increased ridership and transportation options, it will require significant investment and may result in the displacement of residents and businesses along the corridor. Property owners and residents in the area should closely monitor the progress of this proposal and engage in any public comment and participation opportunities.

Residents with comments or questions can contact the project team at brunswick@mdot.maryland.gov or to request a briefing. Written comments can be sent to:

Office of Planning and Capital Programming
Maryland Transit Administration
6 Saint Paul Street, 9th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202

Radio Free Hub City will continue to cover this story as more information becomes available. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have further information regarding this story.