The Walkersville Southern Railroad takes you on a pleasant 8-mile, 70-minute round trip through woods and farmland, past a restored century-old lime kiln, and across the scenic Monocacy River.
Choices
Trains on the Walkersville Southern Railroad depart from the original Pennsylvania Railroad depot pulled by one of the railroad’s diverse collection of switchers, which includes a 1939 Davenport gas mechanical, a rare 1942 EMD Model 40 four-wheel diesel, a GE side-rod 45-tonner, and two ex-PRR GE 44 tonners, used on this line in its last days in PRR service. Whether it is a scenic excursion for the whole family or a romantic dinner for two, there is something for everyone.
When to go
The railroad operates regular trains on weekends from May through October, with special events taking place year-round. Special events include Santa and Easter Bunny trains, Jesse James Day, Civil War reenactments, character, history, and picnic trains. Dinner trains run on some major holidays and on limited Saturdays May through November. Trains that combine a “whodunnit” with dinner run on select dates in that period. Visiting steam locomotives run for a few weekends each year.
Good to know
The railroad also operates an additional 3 miles of track north of Walkersville, which is usually reserved for dinner trains or special runs.
Worth doing
For Civil War buffs, Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry are about an hour away; the railroad also conducts a Civil War reenactment weekend. Historic downtown Frederick, just down the road, is also a welcome respite.
Don’t miss
The railroad’s museum occupies a former ice plant and features rail artifacts from the line and a model railroad.
Getting there
The railroad is 50 miles from Baltimore or Washington, D.C. From Baltimore, take I-70 west to Exit 53B near Frederick. Follow Route 15 north for 6 miles and then turn right onto Biggs Ford Road. Travel about 2 miles and look for a tall grain elevator, which is adjacent to the station.
Location: 34 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Walkersville, MD
Phone: 301-898-0899
Website: wsrr.org
E-mail: admin@wsrr.org
