Bay Ridge and Annapolis Railroad

Infobox SG rail
railroad_name=Bay Ridge and Annapolis Railroad
logo_filename=
logo_size=
system_

map_size=300px
map_caption=1915 Map showing the Bay Ridge and Annapolis Railroad
old_gauge=
marks=
locale=Annapolis, Maryland, to Bay Ridge, Maryland
start_year=1886
end_year=1904
hq_city=Annapolis, Maryland

The Bay Ridge and Annapolis Railroad, originally called the Annapolis and Bay Ridge Railroad, was a 4.5-mile long short line railroad in central Maryland. It ran 4.5 miles from a junction with the Annapolis, Washington and Baltimore Railroad to the resort town of Bay Ridge, Maryland. It mainly provided transportation between Annapolis and the resort, but also connected with a carferry and steamer service to the Eastern Shore. A small connection was eventually made to the Baltimore and Annapolis Short Line. Shortly after opening it fell under the control of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and changed its name. It was never able to make money so it was shut down in 1904 and the tracks were removed in 1918. Very little sign of it remains today.

History

Origins

The Annapolis and Bay Ridge Railroad was incorporated by the Bay Ridge Company on April 8, 1884 with the right to build a railroad from Annapolis or any point on the Annapolis and Elkridge Railroad to Bay Ridge, MD in Anne Arundel County [cite web| url=http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000424/html/am424--651.html| title=Session Laws of Maryland, 1884 | date=1884| accessdate=2006-11-24| ] .

The Bay Ridge Company began work on the railroad and rebuilt the beach resort on the ] Chesapeake Bay in 1885. The hotel was doubled in size, the boardwalk expanded, and beach cottages were constructed. The company even opened a zoological exhibit with lions, tigers and bears. cite web| url=http://www.glabarre.com/images/File/AC-Glabarre.pdf| title=George H. LaBarre Galleries Rarities Sale 12 Catalog | date=| accessdate=2006-11-30| ]

The railroad began operation on July 10, 1886 and for the next 17 years, thousands of people used it to visit the "Queen Resort of the Chesapeake." [cite book| author=Carol Patterson and Jane McWilliams | title="Bay Ridge on the Chesapeake"| date=1986 ] The start up costs, however, were enormous, and in September 1886, the Bay Ridge Company issued $300,000 worth of bonds. Robert Gerrett, President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, bought $150,000 worth of the bonds giving the B&O a controlling interest in the Bay Ridge Company and the Annapolis and Bay Ridge Railroad.

By 1887 the company had changed its name to the Bay Ridge and Annapolis Railroad (BR&A), sometimes called simply the "Bay Ridge Railroad." At a point prior to 1890, a small connection was made from Chesapeake Junction to the Baltimore and Annapolis Short Line near West Annapoliscite web| url=http://historical.maptech.com/getImage.cfm?fname=ownv92ne.jpg&state=MD| title=USGS Owensville Quadrangle | date=1892| accessdate=2006-12-01| ] .

Carferry Connection

For 13 months in 1890-91 the BR&A connected to a carferry and steamer service run by the Baltimore and Eastern Shore Railroad. That service ended in October 1891 and was replaced by a steamer-only operation out of Baltimore.

End of the Line

The railroad was never profitable and in 1904 it ceased operations. In 1918, with steel at a premium due to World War I, the tracks were removed.

tations on the Line

* Bay Ridge Junction
* Bay Ridge

urviving Landmarks

* Some right-of-way visible at Bay Ridge Junction and at points in Bay Ridge

References

External links

* [http://www.navpooh.com/southshore_2.html A Brief History of Railroads in Annapolis - The South Shore Line]
* [http://www.navpooh.com/southshore_b_and_o.html A Brief History of Railroads in Annapolis - The B&O South Shore Line]