Map submitted by Chris B.
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I've read that the area of Annapolis Junction is so called because it was the junction of two railoads, The B&O Railroad and The Elkridge and Annapolis Railroad, that connected to Annapolis. Also the name The Elkridge and Annapolis Railroad was so named because the original plans called for the railroad to connect with The B&O Railroad further north in Elkridge MD, close to The Thomas Viaduct in Relay MD. The wye at Annapolis Junction is still in use today being used by, they say, a cement company. Looks more like a gravel company.
Patrick W. Miller Baltimore, MD 6/5/2011
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I also found information on the history of Fort Meade, where the Annapolis and Elkridge Railroad had a yard within the perimeter of Fort Meade for their use. I have only seen one track diagram of this. And have found no other proof of this. Does any have further proof of this yard?
I have a USGS 1/50,000 map of Fort Meade printed in the 1970's (have to dig it out of my old Army stuff) that shows a yard on the eastern edge of the fort right about where 32 joins with 175 (maybe a mile back from that intersection). There were also several sidings near that yard and one or two on the western side of the Fort near 295 as well. I also remember seeing the tracks from when I was a kid (and from when I was there in the Army in the 1985-1988 time frame)and the maps and my memories are pretty similar. I went back to Meade in 2005 to see what was left of the tracks and not too much remains. There was something akin to a switch tower/yard office right where the yards used to be, but the current occupants had no idea as to what it used to be. The warhouses that were there, however, line up perfectly with the alignment of the old yard and gave a good idea of what operations were like.
Mike Morris Baltimore, MD 12/10/2011
Also, if you look at mapquest and use the satellite button, you can see the warehouses (running east to west) along 32 as 32 joins 175. You can also see the "cut" through the trees extending to the east where the old right of way went into Odenton. The tracks crossing Piney Branch Road and 175 into the old Nevamar plant are just visible. On the west side of 295 and just south of 32, you can see the gravel loading/unloading tracks and the "y"/wye track where it joins CSX. Somewhere in this section are the remains of the Civil War era stone bridge supports.
Mike Morris Baltimore, MD 12/11/2011
My parents own property along the A&E Railroad Bed which parralels Millesville Road between the Millersville Stations and Arundel Station. Their Deed states that they own to the middle of the right of way. The County states that this is incorrect, the State / County owns the right of way. Does anyone have any information on who actually owns the abandoned right of way?
Sherri Butler Millersville, MD 4/6/2012
Sherri: you might ask Patrick Kelly, a local historian located in Millersville- you can reach him through Railroad.net forums at the Delmarva and Washington D.C.Railfan forum under My new preservation work on the WB&A in Millersville
Bruce Townsend Hyattsville, MD 4/24/2012