Railroad Station - Gaithersburg MD
N 39° 08.495 W 077° 11.591
18S E 310457 N 4334778
The Gaithersburg Railroad Station built in 1884 still serves travelers with a ticket office and coffee shop inside.
Waymark Code: WM687E
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 04/20/2009
Views: 6
The coming of the B&O Railroad was instrumental to the growth and success of Gaithersburg in the 19th century. The railroad station building that is now in the heart of Olde Towne Gaithersburg was built in 1884 for the B&O railroad as part of the railroad complex in town. A freight house, which currently houses the Gaithersburg Community Museum, allowed farmers to easily ship their products. These brick buildings were designed by Ephraim Francis Baldwin, a Baltimore architect, and replaced the wood frame buildings is use until then. Some of the other Baldwin stations built along this same railroad line are still standing.
Over the years, the station buildings gradually fell into disrepair and by the 1960's were slated for demolition. According to the Gaithersburg city website, they were purchased by the city from the Chessie Systems in 1984 and restored. The Station and Freight House have been listed in the National Register of Historical Places since 1978.
The station has limited hours but still serves as a ticket office for MARC train daily commuters going to and from Washington, DC. Amtrak trains rumble through Gaithersburg but this is no longer a scheduled stop on their routes. As many as 50 freight trains travel through Gaithersburg each day, and are favored by trainspotters and little RR fans.
A coffee shop is located in the west end of the building.
Is the station/depot currently used for railroad purposes?: Yes
Is the station/depot open to the public?: Yes
If the station/depot is not being used for railroad purposes, what is it currently used for?:
The station still serves rail passengers but now site alongside the Gaithersburg History Park and local Museum.
What rail lines does/did the station/depot serve?: Originally B&O, now MARC, CSX and Amtrak
Station/Depot Web Site: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
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