State Rail Network
Class I Railroads
| CSX Transportation | 519 |
| Norfolk Southern | 259 |
| Total | 778 |
Short Line Railroads
| Canton Railroad | 6 |
| Delmarva Central Railroad | 41 |
| Maryland & Delaware Railroad | 101 |
| Maryland Midland Railway | 80 |
| Tradepoint Rail | 12 |
| Total | 330 |
Moving Maryland's Economy. Connecting Communities.
The nation’s first common-carrier railroad, the B&O, had its start in downtown Baltimore and was a key to keeping the state competitive in the 19th century.
Originating
Received
State Grants
Freight Rail Grant Program
Rail Heritage
The last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence helped break ground on Maryland’s railroad in 1828. Charles Carroll’s ceremonial shovelful of dirt launched the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, chartered in 1827 as the nation’s first common-carrier railroad, with regular service beginning on the first 13 miles between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mills in 1830. The B&O went on to rack up a string of engineering firsts, including the Thomas Viaduct, a curved stone bridge completed in 1835 that still carries freight trains today. That legacy of innovation helped establish Baltimore as one of the nation’s great rail gateways.
Why Freight Rail Matters
Supports Manufacturing
Rail connects manufacturers with suppliers and customers across North America, efficiently moving raw materials and finished goods.
Strengthens Agriculture
Rail helps move crops, forest products, fertilizers and other agricultural goods efficiently and affordably.
Reduces Congestion
Moving freight by rail removes trucks from highways, helping reduce traffic and wear on road infrastructure.
Protects the Environment
Freight rail is significantly more fuel efficient than moving freight by truck, helping reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Rail at Work
Safety FRA Data Shows Major Rail Safety Gains in 2025
Washington, D.C. – New data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) shows 2025 was a historic year for freight rail safety. Accident and injury rates…
Economic Impact Howard Street Tunnel Expansion to Help Port of Baltimore Double Capacity
Baltimore, MD — This summer the expansion of the Howard Tunnel in Baltimore took another important step forward when it received its final environmental approval,…
Policy Issues Rail Policy Landscape in the 117th Congress
Washington, D.C. — As the 117th Congress dives into its work—and committee assignments and leadership roles have been finalized—we now know more about the key…
44 percent
decrease
in rail rates on average from 1981 to today.
That means the average rail customer today can ship significantly more freight for about the same price they paid 40 years ago.
State Director
Maryland
Christy Sammon
State DirectorChristy Sammon joined GoRail in May 2015. She has over 15 years of experience in the governmental relations field.
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