Ma & Pass Overpass

In Towson, Maryland, the Ma and Pa Overpass once carried trains from the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad right over York Road. The bridge was a steel plate girder design, rebuilt in 1900 by the Baltimore & Lehigh Railroad to replace an earlier narrow-gauge line. While the bridge itself is long gone, its original stone supports are still standing today, offering a glimpse into the area’s railroading past. This overpass helped connect Baltimore and York, Pennsylvania, along a twisting 77-mile route that was known for being one of the most scenic in the region. The railroad shut down in Maryland in June 1958 as traffic declined and the infrastructure aged, and the overpass was taken down in 1959. A plaque was added in 1999 by Historic Towson, Inc. to recognize the site’s history.

The Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad—better known as the “Ma and Pa”—was famous for its winding route through farmland, hills, and small towns. It was created in 1901 from a merger of smaller railroads, including the Baltimore & Lehigh. With sharp curves and steep grades, it offered a slower but more personal travel experience. The line carried both passengers and freight for many years, but as cars and highways took over, business dropped off. Passenger trains stopped running in 1954, and freight service didn’t last much longer. Today, while most of the line is gone, parts of it have been turned into trails and local landmarks, keeping the memory of the Ma and Pa alive.