Old Main Line Subdivision - Archaeology

Archaeology

After the initial push, the builders of the OML tended to prefer very permanent materials--stone and iron-- over the wooden structures used elsewhere. And since much of the river valley became part of the Patapsco Valley State Park, the area along the line contains an uncommonly large range of early 19th century railroad artifacts and structures, readily accessible to the railfan. In many places even the granite stringers of the original roadbed can be seen.

Some of the more notable relics are:

• The remains of the Patterson Viaduct at Ilchester (where the foundation of the demolished Ilchester station can also be seen)
• The station in Ellicott City (now a museum)
• The remains of the Elysville bridges at Daniels
• The Sykesville station (used as the prototype for a well-known HO scale model)
• The original Twin Arch Bridge on the Mt. Airy planes alignment
• The station and junction at Point of Rocks