Railroad Crossings
Coexisting with trains in the Monocacy Creek Valley
MAP 15
The Norfolk Southern Cement Subdivision railroad tracks, originally built by Lehigh and New England Railroad, run along the Monocacy Creek. Visible to the left of the old railroad crossing is one of two trestle bridges in the Archibald Johnston Conservation Area. They were constructed in 1923 by Bethlehem Steel, replacing wooden trestles which had been regularly undermined by floods.
The one-lane road along the creek provided access by staff to parts of “North Farm,” reached by the use of one of several private railroad crossings located around the property.
Johnston marked most major entrances to the residential portions of the family’s property with square cement pillars approximately 10 feet high. Many were fitted with light fixtures, none of which remain.
Today, only freight trains use the Cement Subdivision. Northbound trains pass through on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, returning on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons.
Be careful crossing railroad tracks and avoid moving trains.