Kimmey Bookshop Signing: The Western Maryland Railroad and Its Civil War Legacy-Scott Mingus

Author Scott Mingus will visit HSCC on June 8th from 10:30 A.M.-noon to answer questions and sign his latest book titled The Western Maryland Railroad and Its Civil War Legacy.  

While initially small in size and almost unknown outside of Maryland during the mid-1800s, the Western Maryland Railroad built upon its Civil War legacy and reputation to expand into a multi-state network of acquired railroads that served Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia well into the 20th century.
Headquartered for most of its postwar history in Baltimore, the WM operated from 1852 when it was first charted until 1983 when it was merged into the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in an era of consolidation and asset rationalization. Parts of the system remain operational within the current CSX Transportation empire.
The original line from Baltimore County to Union Mills in Carroll County, Maryland, was the entirety of the WM during the Civil War years. While spared much of the destruction that Confederate raiders repeatedly doled out to the Northern Central Railway, Cumberland Valley Railroad, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, the WM did play a significant role in the Gettysburg Campaign. The railroad, temporary under the control of the Federal government under emergency measures, hauled massive amounts of supplies for the Union Army of the Potomac to the Union Bridge railhead and Westminster.
Following the battle, thousands of wounded soldiers were taken by wagon or carriage (or otherwise made their way) to Union Bridge or Westminster. From there, trains carried them to hospitals in Baltimore, Washington, York, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, or New York City. To this day, modern railroaders still often refer to the line near Union Bridge as “the hospital track.”
This book explores the early history of the WM and its origins, with the focal point on the Civil War (1861–1865). An epilogue gives a sweeping overview of the company’s rapid postwar expansion and steady growth into a regional powerhouse.

Coffee will be provided by Birdie’s Cafe

There will also be a special discount on The Western Maryland Railroad and Its Civil War Legacy.