The Short Line right-of-way is walkable for most of its length from the Armory to Wade Avenue outside I-695, and from Shady Nook to Charlestowne inside I-695.
General Description:
A new sign marks the trail entrance opposite the Armory on Mellor Ave.
A 10 foot clear trail has been cleared from the Mellor Mews to Bloomsbury Ave.
The trail is dirt and gravel and accessible for multi-use at this time.
Access to/from Bloomsbury requires ascending/decending a steep bank from the trail up to Bloomsbury and stepping over the guard rail.
Many thanks to Brian Yakel of Boy Scout Troop 306 for all
the work he did to clean up this part of the trail for his
Boy Scout Eagle Project. Brian and the Scouts removed trash,
cleared brush and rocks, smoothed out the entrance from
Mellor Ave., made and erected the new sign at the Mellor Ave.
trail entrance. Read the details of his
Eagle Project (rtf 330KB)
Great Job Brian!
General Description: Bloomsbury Ave has cut off the existing railroad bed when a tunnel collapsed in years past. Currently the trail would have to come up a grade to get to grade to cross Bloomsbury Ave. There is no existing dirt trail in this entire section.
On the east side of Bloomsbury Ave there are 6 - 8" trees which would need to be removed along with extensive brushing for the first 600' to where the tracks crossed Asylum Lane at grade. Asylum Lane must be used for this first 600 feet.
The rail continues along a grassy newly fenced storm water detention pond to the old rail bed which is running along Spring Grove property. This section to Wade Ave is in need of 6 - 8" tree removal.(probably chain saws would be best). There is also extensive multiflora rose in this section. There is a fence gate (sometimes locked) at 2040' from Bloomsbury Ave. Railroad ties and rails begin at 2250' and continue to 3730' ( at the Beltway ). There is a double rail for the last 115' which was placed to reduce the liklihood of a train derailment when the tracks were crossing a bridge (now removed ) across the Beltway.
The section from Wade Ave to the Beltway is completely overgrown and there is one spot where there been some erosion of the roadbed on a levee. Extensive clearing with chainsaws and extensive brushing will be required in this area.
There is 3190' of rail in this section. Wade Ave is in the middle of where the rails are located and would be the logical place for staging the rails for further loading and transport to the scrap yard. There are rail joiners, spikes and rail plates from this section. There are ties in this area which would also need to be removed.
The RR bed continues across Paradise Ave. There has been heavy brushing and removal of trees and debris in this section so the trail is walkable all the way to the Beltway. Rails stop at 2870'. 2947' you cross Shady Nook close to the Beltway. Beltway noise wall is at 3067'.
Railroad Ties and Rails - Are present for almost the entire length
of this section.
Length of Rails - 5,740' with rail hardware also present
(Measurements from Maiden Choice)
Trees are growing between the rails and ties. Chain saws will be needed to clear trees up to 8'. Not too much brush after initial 100' At 357' the trail is washed out (will probably need a replacement culvert or possibly a bridge. Approx length of washout is 40'. Trail in this entire section all the way to Paradise Ave has been pretty well cleared between the tracks.
General Description Maiden Choice to Charlestown - A footpath has been cleared but this section is still pretty rough. Rail stops at 295'. Ties and metal plates are still on trail. Rails begin at 645' and go all the way to the Charlestown property line. At 1558' there is a 40' washout. There is still a large culvert in place so the washout area can be repaired with new fill material brought in. At this point or shortly there after the pedometer was accidentally reset.
My next reading was 1539' after going through heavy downdfall and reaching Charlestown. I walked back paralleling the route, but on the grass adjacent to the rail path which at times was several hundred feet away from the actual right of way. I measured 3415' on that return trip. I think the adding of 1558' and 1539' to give me 3081' is a close approximation and may be used for determining amount of rails on hand.
Railroad Ties and Rails - ties are present along the entire length this section
Last Updated: January 27, 2007
Curator: Thomas C. Bagg, III,