Dear Madam:

General W. W. Atterbury, President of our Company, has requested me to answer your letter of November 18, relative to the railroad line operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad through Taneytown, Md. This, as you know, is part of the line of the York, Hanover and Frederick Railway Company, which is one of the leased lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad System. I enclose a memorandum covering its history, and trust it will give you the information you desire.

Kindly note certain peculiarities in the names of the various companies. The original company was known as the "Frederick and Pennsylvania line Rail Road Company". Kindly observe that in this name the word "line" begins with a small letter instead of a capital, and that "Rail Road" is two words. Later, please observe the distinction between the "York, Hanover and Frederick Railroad Company" and the York, Hanover and Frederick Railway Company".

Very truly yours,

G. B Hurley
Special Assistant

Mr. Hurley mentions General W. W. Atterbury in the letter, referencing William Wallace Atterbury (1866 – 1935). William Wallace Atterbury was a brigadier general in the United States Army during World War I. Before his military career, Atterbury joined the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) in 1886, steadily climbing the ranks until he became its tenth president from 1925 to 1935.

During the war, Atterbury played a pivotal role as director-general of transportation in France, where he orchestrated the reorganization of railroad operations to facilitate the efficient movement of troops and supplies for the American Expeditionary Forces. Recognized for his contributions, he earned the moniker "The Railroad General."

Post-war, Atterbury spearheaded the Pennsylvania Railroad's ambitious $250 million electrification project along its main line between New York City and Washington, D.C. He also played a vital role in developing the company's inaugural M1-class steam locomotive.

Atterbury's military service garnered accolades, including the U.S. Army's Distinguished Service Medal and honors from France, England, Serbia, and Romania. Additionally, he received honorary degrees from prestigious institutions such as Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and Temple University.

In remembrance of his legacy, Camp Atterbury, a former U.S. Army training camp located west of Edinburgh, Indiana, and Atterbury Army Airfield (later known as Bakalar Air Force Base and now the Columbus, Indiana, municipal airport) was named after him.

Mr. Hurley's response to Ms. Crapster continued in line with the contents referenced as the memorandum within the response letter.

The railroad from the Pennsylvania-Maryland state line near Kingsdale, Pa., to Frederick, Md., about 28 miles in length, was constructed by the "Frederick and Pennsylvania line Rail Road Company", a predecessor of the "York, Hanover and Frederick Railway Company." The Company was incorporated under a Special Act of the Legislature of Maryland of March 19, 1867. Construction was commenced about August, 1869, and completed in November, 1872.

The property, rights and franchises of the "Frederick and Pennsylvania line Rail Road Company" were sold in 1897, under court proceedings, to the "Frederick and Northern Railroad Company", organized under the General Laws of Maryland. Later in the same year, this company was consolidated with the "Hanover and York Railroad Company" to form the "York, Hanover and Frederick Railroad Company. " The "Hanover and York Railroad Company" had in operation a line extending from a connection with the "Frederick and Northern Railroad", at Kingsdale, to York, Pa., a distance of about 28 miles.

The "York, Hanover and Frederick Railroad Company" continued in existence until 1914, when it was consolidated with the "Central Railroad of Maryland" to form the present-day "York, Hanover and Frederick Railway Company." The "Central Railroad of Maryland" commenced in October, 1913, construction of the line from Keymar to Union Bridge, Md., which was completed by the present-day Company in August, 1914.

Since January 1st, 1875, the line passing through Taneytown has been continuously operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad or one of its affiliated Companies under various operating arrangements, including the present lease. (Note: This ends the information provided by Mr. Hurley.)

In 1980, operations commenced along a section of the former Pennsylvania Railroad's Frederick Secondary line, extending from Taneytown to Walkersville, Maryland. In 1983, the company acquired the former Western Maryland Railway line from Emory Grove to Highfield from Chessie System and CSXT.

Over the years, the railroad saw significant expansion, from handling 200 freight cars annually in the 1980s to managing 18,000 freight cars by 2006. By 2006, it operated a fleet of ten locomotives, including three GP9 low hoods and seven GP38-3, all produced by Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD). Additionally, its rolling stock comprised 410 freight cars, either owned or leased. Towards the end of 1993, the company proposed revitalizing the abandoned stretch of the Frederick Secondary from Taneytown to York, Pennsylvania, which had been dormant for the past decade. This endeavor aimed to broaden the company's market presence in Pennsylvania while establishing a link to Conrail's rail network. However, the plan faced obstacles due to excessively high demands from landowners along the intended rail reconstruction path, making construction impractical.

Presently, the railway operates from Highfield, Maryland (west) to Glyndon, Maryland (east), with a two-mile loop through Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and from Woodsboro, Maryland (south) to Taneytown, Maryland (north). The line terminates north of the Ferrellgas propane dealer near Angell Road.