Old Ma & Pa Railroad trestle may again carry passengers – on bicycles – some day
For years, the Ma & Pa’s Taylor’s Trestle has been forgotten between Red Lion and Yoe. Now a budding Eagle Scout wants to help restore it. Background posts: Ma & Pa rabbit trains: ‘I hope they thoroughly hosed out the cars.’, Ma & Pa Railroad, Muddy Creek Forks draw fans and Yo! More support for Yoe vs. Yohe.
The summary on the back cover of George W. Hilton’s “The Ma & Pa” nicely describes the winding railroad:
“Connecting Baltimore and York, the line had everything needed to endear itself to local residents and rail enthusiasts: picturesque equipment, marvelous scenary, antique passenger trains, handsome small-scale locomotives, and enough curves – 476 – for a railroad many times longer than its 77 miles.”
The writer could also have added in “curving trestles… .”
This closeup photo shows the trestle’s rail and ties to be in bad shape. The trestle sits on the ground, without any anchor or tied-down foundation.
Joseph Loucks, a York Catholic High School 10th grader, noticed one such deteriorating trestle on the now-abandoned line between Red Lion and Yoe.
He is planning to bring the Taylor Trestle to a point where it can be restored.
Parts of the old Ma & Pa are still being used. Around York, its tracks are part of short-line freight operations. At Muddy Creek Forks in southeastern York County, its tracks are used for excursions.
In Red Lion, a short stretch has been restored as a rail trail, undoubtedly the most promising future use for the Taylor Trestle. The Ma and Pa Greenway Commission is exploring a rail trail between the Mount Rose exit of Interstate *3 and the Felton/Windsor Township boundary.
The following facts about the trestle are gleaned from a recently Weekly Record story (12/24/08) on Joseph’s Scout project:
Dimensions: 261 feet long and 28 feet high at its tallest point.
Date of construction: Circa 1895:
Last used for regular passenger service: 1954,
Last used for freight and full-sized trains: Early 1980s.
Abandoned: Mid-80s.
Further details: http://www.taylortrestle.org/
