The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society maintains and operates 3.6 miles of the former Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad main line as part of the Ma & Pa railroad Heritage Village (http://www.MaAndPaRailroad.com). The museum focuses on the central role of the railroad in the early twentieth century and includes the village of Muddy Creek Forks, a National Register Historic District.
On August 31st, the village and railroad were struck by a devastating flash flood. A wonderful group of more than 40 volunteers turned out to clean up most of the mud and debris from the village of Muddy Creek Forks on Labor Day, but the north end of the rail line sustained damage at five sites that was far too severe to be handled by volunteers. The most serious damage was at the crossings of three tributary streams to Muddy Creek. One 30 foot plate girder bridge was washed away, there was serious damage at two other bridges, and more than 700 feet of track were destroyed.
To get back in operation Society volunteers held a week long work camp to repair track south of Muddy Creek Forks that was not previously in use for passengers, and by our annual Heritage Day on September 22nd trains were running.
The Society has obtained an Emergency Permit to make necessary repairs to the railroad and has a track contractor and an engineering firm onboard for the work which is now underway. A few pictures of the work in progress were posted today on the Society's Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/MaAndPaRail ... e_internal
Current estimates are that the cost for repairs at all five sites will approach $170,000. This is a staggering sum for an all volunteer organization with limited resources. The area around the railroad was not declared a federal disaster area, and there is no expectation that any government funds will be available to aid the recovery.
The Society has appealed to its members and friends and is investigating other potential sources of funds, but outside support will certainly be needed. A GoFundMe page has been set up to provide a mechanism for community donors to support our recovery efforts.
https://www.gofundme.com/ma-amp-pa-rr-f ... d-recovery
The need for funds is urgent, since work under the Emergency Permit must be completed in just 60 days.
Many small donations can make a big difference in supporting this recovery, so we hope that some of our fellow rail preservationists will want to help. Donations in any amount would be greatly appreciated. I'll try to post updates as the work progresses.
Thanks for your help.
Craig Sansonetti
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File comment: This track crosses a concrete box culvert which is plugged and completely covered with tons of rock washed down the tributary stream. The downstream channel is totally filled with rock and debris. DSCN3881R2.jpg [ 186.59 KiB | Viewed 9271 times ] |
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File comment: Debris deposited on the deck of the 13 foot B-3 bridge. The bridge was undamaged but the flood diverted the stream through the roadbed north of the bridge washing out the track. DSCN3888R2.jpg [ 165.37 KiB | Viewed 9271 times ] |
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File comment: North approach to the B-3 bridge. The track and roadbed is washed out for more than 120 feet. DSCN3895R2.jpg [ 168.8 KiB | Viewed 9271 times ] |