Back in 2016, I bought a house in Florida and one of the considerations for the house was my layout. Not long after moving in, layout construction began on what I was calling ‘Big Burgundy.’

In January 2020, my life changed drastically, and my wife and I packed up and moved to Tennessee to answer a call to full-time ministry. We went from having a grand layout room to a one-bedroom apartment. Not to worry, though. I dismantled Big Burgundy and salvaged a good portion of the benchwork to reuse in an L-shaped switching layout that would fit in the living room of the apartment.

Well, it just so happened that 2020 was the year that the world went crazy. Between COVID, adjusting to our new lifestyle, and a drastic reduction in available resources, we were only in the apartment for around 11 months. We moved out of the apartment and into a shared space, and I all but gave up on the idea of having any sort of layout. That was until the early part of 2024.

I had been watching some modeling videos on YouTube when I came across Joe Parker’s channel, The Pixel Depot. On his channel, Joe had a series about building a small layout (How to Build a Small Shelf Layout – Building “The Grunge”). In this series, Joe tackles the idea of not having enough space to build a layout and why “no space” is more likely an excuse than a reality. Needless to say, I was hooked! After watching the series in its entirety (multiple times), I was inspired and motivated to come up with a small shelf layout that would fit my current (and/or) future space without being an obstruction.

The Story

This is the story of how MDRAIL came to be and how it fits in the real world. The following is a “what if” scenario based on actual events. The contents of this story and the entire website are ment for entertainment purposes only.

The Maryland Southern Transportation System (MDST reporting mark, and also known as MDRAIL) began operations on June 1, 1999, following nearly three years of negotiations during Conrail’s divestiture. Amidst the bidding war between Class I giants, several secondary lines risked abandonment—most notably the Pope’s Creek Secondary, a vital coal route to two Southern Maryland power plants.

With no takers among major railroads, local stakeholders stepped in. Backed by a regional entrepreneur, the power authority acquired the 68-mile line, ensuring continued fuel delivery and protecting regional jobs. MDST was born.

Temporary operations launched in Waldorf, but by 2000, MDST had already restored service to multiple former customers—lumber, steel, and ink businesses—and began upgrades to a team track in La Plata to attract new freight.

By 2001, growth prompted the search for a permanent home. MDST established a headquarters and service yard in White Plains, MD, on a former government spur. In the aftermath of 9/11, the U.S. Navy partnered with MDST to restore service to the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, adding 19 miles of track and boosting traffic by 25%.

MDST’s strategic role continued to grow. In 2005, it assisted with the Washington, DC Freight Bypass Study, which addressed hazardous freight routing through the capital. In 2007, MDST was awarded the contract to build and operate the selected bypass route—featuring a 2.7-mile Potomac River bridge, a Fredericksburg, VA interchange, and a grade-separated flyover near Jessup, MD.

That same year, MDST quietly acquired Maryland Midland Railway (MMID), expanding its reach into Western Maryland and the Pennsylvania coal fields—a critical supply chain for its power customers.

In 2008, MDST began eyeing the Eastern Maryland Railway (EM), a struggling agricultural short line on the Eastern Shore. After years of investment discussions, MDST acquired a 53% stake in EM in 2010, bringing its operations under the MDST banner.

Simultaneously, Maryland’s push for greener energy led to the construction of a waste-to-energy incinerator at Pope’s Creek. Rail was chosen to minimize truck traffic and emissions. In 2014, the first municipal solid waste train—nicknamed “Big Stinky” by railfans—served the new facility.

MDST’s expansion continued in 2015, acquiring the right-of-way beyond Chalk, MD, and launching efforts to restore freight service to Mechanicsville and Southern St. Mary’s County, supporting local agriculture with fast, efficient rail logistics.

The bypass line officially opened on September 11, 2011, with MDST’s business train making a symbolic first run—marking a decade since the events that helped shape the company’s pivotal role in regional transportation.

As of the fiscal year ending 2015, Maryland Southern operates 638 route miles of track. The company maintains a fleet of 136 locomotives and 2055 freight cars. Maryland Southern transported over 6.8 million originated tons of freight in 2015 and had a total revenue of $124.6 million.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Maryland Southern Transportation Systems, Inc., a Maryland-based transportation and logisitics company with headquarters in White Plains, MD, owns all the common stock of and controls a Class II freight railroad d/b/a MDRAIL (MDST). In addition, Maryland Southern Transportation System is the majority owner of the Eastern Maryland Railway Corporation also d/b/a MDRAIL (MDST); and full owner of railroad equipment maintenance and R & D company MDRAILSHOPS, Inc. (MDLX).

Maryland Southern Transportation System and affiliates own and operate approximately 638 route miles in 4 states and the District of Columbia, serves a major container port in Baltimore, MD and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Maryland Southern Transportation System is a key partner in and around the National Capitol region for the transportation of agricultural, automotive, industrial and specialized products; and, operates and maintains the Capitol Bypass Route providing safe and efficient routing of hazardous materials around Washington, D.C.

MDRAILSHOPS, Inc. is a certified EMD maintenance and assembly partner as well as a certified TGX rebuild partner. MDRAILSHOPS provides fleet and equipment services internally as well as for hire; and in addition, provides maintenance-of-way services throughout the region.

Website

https://md-rail.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/878196678996694