Eastern Shore Scenic Railroad

HURLOCK TO PRESTON TOURIST RAILROAD
A Scenic Railroad (from Dorchester Banner 2-12-12 Susan M. Bautz

Two years ago twenty miles of railroad track between Vienna and Hurlock was profitably sold for scrap by then owner Delmarva Power Company. At the time it was a blow to the non-profit organization that dreamed of restoring the line as part of a bid to attract tourists to the northern part of the county.
The focus shifted to what promises to be a superior scenic railroad journey. The volunteer group, eager to restore the line between Hurlock and Preston, is on its way to making the dream of a working railroad a reality. Originally incorporated as the North Dorchester Railroad, Inc., the change in mission requires a name change as well. Board members are contemplating a contest to find a name that best describes the railroad’s journey – Hurlock in Dorchester County to Preston in Caroline County.
Ideas flow like water when the board gathers to talk about their dream. Their excitement is contagious and even the most skeptical glimpse the unique opportunities engendered by a Hurlock to Preston scenic railroad.

HISTORY
The group’s vice president, Ellery Adams, sees the history of this particular track as “very significant.” It was the main route to Ocean City in the early 20th century. Travelers crossed the Bay from Baltimore or Annapolis to Claiborne where they boarded a train to Easton, crossed the Choptank River, rode through Preston, and on to Salisbury.
Adams says, “They then transferred to a lesser train that didn’t go as fast and burned wood as well as coal. They ferried across Assawoman Bay to Ocean City.” He notes that a “high speed” train tore through town daily at 60 miles an hour. When the whistle screamed, adults chased children, dogs and cats off the tracks because the engine was not going to slow down.
Trains were the main travel mode. It was too far for a horse and buggy and few had cars. Adams says, “It was quite an adventure. When travelers got to the beach they were covered with cinders and perspiration and wanted only to get to the hotel, take a bath and see the ocean the next day.”
Then the highway was built, cars came into vogue and trains were used less. Construction of the Bay Bridge in the 1950’s changed travel. “When people began to drive down there”, says Adams, “before the bridge was built (across Assawoman Bay) some people would take their cars across the railroad bridge when they knew the train wasn’t coming. They’d let some air out of their tires and go across, very foolishly.”

BENEFITS
The benefits of a successful scenic railroad are enormous, according to corporation president David Owens and the group’s board. Seeking ways to stimulate growth in North Dorchester County, and loving trains since their youth, Owens and a small group examined the possibilities of a scenic railroad. “People love trains,” says Owens. “Anything that moves, you got their attention.” Seven years later they are closer to their goal.
According to Owens, “towns at both ends would help bring economic development to both. Preston has … shops, the Linchester grist mill, tours around Choptank, boat rides, and other excursions.”
Mayor Spratt says, “One reason Hurlock is so interested is the potential for economic growth. The growing success of the Hurlock train rides from the renovated train station during the town’s Fall Festival is proof positive for Spratt that the project will benefit her town. According to John Avery, Hurlock’s director of planning and zoning and railroad board member, the train made six trips and carried over 850 visitors.
Dorchester County board of education member Phil Bramble believes the schools can use the railroad as an educational tool and sees field trip opportunities for students in both counties. “There’s a lot of history right in this area.” He adds, “We could tie it in with the Underground Railroad. Certainly the train would pass through areas where the Underground railroad existed”.
Kathy Mackle, Caroline Country tourism director, enthusiastically describes the “opportunities” she sees flowing from a scenic/tourist railroad. Amanda Fenstermaker and Linda Cashman of the Dorchester County tourism department also view the project as a catalyst to expand small businesses and help new small businesses grow via job opportunities like tour guides, re-enactors, and sales help. She notes that seasonal and thematic trips would also increase visitorship. “Just because there are two counties doesn’t mean there is a county line.”

A VISION
The dilapidated train station near the tracks in Hurlock seems to anticipate its restoration and rebuilding as a ticket office, perhaps a small gift shop, or a small museum celebrating the town’s history as a railroad center. Three available tracks would make a “runaround” to move the engine to the front of the train for each trip rather than going forward in one direction and backward in the other.
A scenic train in Walkersville near Frederick, MD has a four mile track and no runaround. Passengers go out for the four miles forward and back down to the start. The Hurlock to Preston run, about forty-five minutes, is 6.5 miles long with runarounds at each end.
In Preston, while the foundation of the original train station remains, a new building would be built. In the meantime, the town hall would serve as a temporary depot.

FEASIBILITY
A positive feasibility study by Stone Consulting, railroad feasibility studies specialists, is encouraging. Railroad board member Joy Loeffler says, “Developing tourism was one of the things we felt good about. When the consultant met with us the first time, he felt we were kind of off the beaten track; but then he realized the tourism opportunities that are already developed.”
Volunteer business counselor Richard Loeffler adds, “Plus he liked the US 50 traffic. Over 25,000 daily in the summer use that road.”
The study was paid for via grants and donations. Joy Loeffler notes, “Everything went on hold while the group concentrated on getting a grant for the feasibility study.” They received a $30,000 matching grant from the MD Department of Business and Economic Development. Hurlock and Preston each provided $2,500 cash grants in seed money; Dorchester County gave $25,000.



NEXT STEPS
According to Joy Loeffler, “one big hurdle is to convince the state to give us control of the track.” The feasibility study suggests that operating the railroad without control is too expensive. There are different limits of liability insurance based on ownership. A state-owned track requires $7 million liability insurance including $2 million to work on the tracks. That translates to $50,000 yearly. “The premiums would put us out of the ballpark,” notes Loeffler.
The level of maintenance differs as well. A tourist railroad must meet state and federal standards; it must be safe and pass inspection but it does not need to meet the stricter standards of a freight carrying line. According to Richard Loeffler, “The consultant put numbers together to bring the track up to the state standard for freight. As soon as they do that the numbers become very large. If instead it was viewed as a privately owned track and a train on it goes 5 mph instead of 30 mph, the track has to be brought up to and maintained to a much different standard. Under state ownership the cost is a high number; if privately owned through a corporation as a tourist attraction, with no freight runs, and low mph the cost drops enormously.”
According to Owens, “If we own the track, we could insure for about $7-8,000 yearly instead of $50,000.” He says only every third tie has to be replaced to make it legal for a lighter, slower scenic train. Two bridges along the route, one in each county, need all the ties replaced. According to assessments by an engineering firm one of the two abutments is satisfactory.
In March, the volunteers and state senator Rich Colburn will present a business plan to the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Director of Freight and Multimodalism. She in turn will present the board’s case to the ultimate decision maker on state property—the Board of Public Works. The feasibility study is currently under review by transportation department engineers. The department wants to know, says Ms. Loeffler, “How we will survive if they do give us control of the track”.
According to the railroad’s vice president Ellery Adams, “Negotiations have been good here lately. What they are asking of us is not unreasonable.”

FINANCES
A business plan was written when the group first organized and is currently being revised for the third time to answer questions the state will ask before awarding grants or turning over the track. The railroad will be considered a business and managed by volunteers on the non-profit board of directors.
Rich Loeffler says, “Right now we need contributions. Can we get something from the state, from individuals, from foundations; can we approach different foundations so we can get another matching grant? It’s a combination of things that have to be done all at the same time.”
Raising money is essential before the board undertakes its major efforts. The feasibility study suggests that aside from railroad visitors, special events like Polar Express and other thematic trips can increase ridership during the holidays. In the long run the scenic railroad promises to bring people to the area who are willing to spend money.

VOLUNTEERISM
“Not everybody can own a train, but everybody can work on one,” says Owens. The tourist, or “scenic,” railroads typically welcome volunteer participation. Not only does it keep costs down, but it gives train buffs a chance to be conductors, mechanics, engineers, and even sales people. Other scenic railroads readily share information about their operations and have offered to give classes to volunteers on all aspects of running the business. The fledgling operation needs people as well as funds.

Ellery Adams remembers the last train into Preston about 12 years ago. “I heard the whistle and then there was some commotion and I went down to Nagels store and saw one of the grain cars had overturned while it was sitting still because the tracks were in disrepair; and then trains didn’t come anymore and they haven’t been here since. We miss the sound of the whistle.”
The scenic railroad supporters are working to bring back the uniquely mournful sound of a train whistle.


For information contact:
David Owens (410-376-3620)
Ellery Adams (410-253-4139)

Board Members:
David Owens, president (410-376-3620)
Ellery Adams, vice president (410-253-4139)
Phil Bramble, treasurer
John Avery, planning and zoning director, Hurlock
Linda Cashman, Dorchester County tourism (alternate)
Natalie Chabot, Cambridge economic development
Amanda Fenstersmaker, Dorchester County tourism director
Joy Loeffler, formerly of Dorchester County tourism/Cambridge economic development
Kathy Mackle, Caroline Country tourism director
Joyce Spratt, mayor, Hurlock