Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York Railroad
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railroad |
| Founded | 1874 |
| Fate | Merged with Wilmington and Reading Railroad (1875); reorganized after foreclosure |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Maryland, Pennsylvania |
Key people | William O. Leslie (general superintendent), Robert Frazer (associated via merger), William H. Bell (president of successor company) |
The Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York Railroad was a conceptual railroad project from the 1870s, designed to establish a new route linking Baltimore to New York through Philadelphia. The company completed only limited physical work, mainly grading a short stretch from Relay House on the Northern Central Railroad through Towson, Maryland to the Gunpowder River. In 1875, it merged with the financially distressed Wilmington and Reading Railroad, but failed to attract additional funding. Both entities were eventually reorganized independently following foreclosure, with much of the graded land sold to the Baltimore and Delta Railway.
Original plan
The earliest forerunner was the State Line and Juniata Railroad, chartered in Pennsylvania on April 5, 1870, with the intent of running from the Maryland border along Licking Creek in Franklin County to Mount Union in Huntingdon County. Initially backed by John Dougherty and other industrial figures, it struggled to gain substantial support and was ultimately set aside in favor of alternative projects. Amendments to its charter in 1871 and 1872 expanded its authority to construct any routes or branches within Pennsylvania, potentially serving other railroads.
During subscription campaigns in Philadelphia, William O. Leslie acquired nearly all authorized shares but never paid for them. Formed on April 23, 1872, Leslie assumed the role of general superintendent and vigorously promoted the railroad. The proposed line aimed to traverse southern Pennsylvania counties toward Philadelphia, with crossings over the Delaware River near Morrisville, Pennsylvania, connecting to unspecified New Jersey railroads, thereby linking Philadelphia and Baltimore.
To obtain rights in Maryland, Leslie secured a charter for the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad in September 1872, intended to run from Baltimore to the Pennsylvania border at Octoraro Creek. He arranged a mortgage and commenced grading by November 1872, focusing on the segment from Relay House northeast through Towson to the Gunpowder River. Near Philadelphia, the Chester Creek and Brandywine Railroad was incorporated in August 1873 by Philadelphia investors associated with State Line and Juniata. This line planned a connection between Pocopson Creek and the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad at Street Road station, conducting surveys and limited grading near Chester Creek.
The Panic of 1873 caused many speculative railroad projects to halt. Construction on Chester Creek and Brandywine stopped in early 1874; foreclosure threats in September 1874 suspended work on Maryland and Pennsylvania. On December 7, 1874, State Line and Juniata, Chester Creek and Brandywine, and Maryland and Pennsylvania merged as the Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York Railroad. Leslie carried out extensive surveys in Chester and Delaware Counties while promoting the company as well-funded with completion imminent.
Merger
Leslie earned the trust of Robert Frazer, president of the insolvent Wilmington and Reading Railroad. Due to bondholder pressure, Wilmington and Reading shareholders agreed to merge with Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York on May 13, 1875. Local newspapers speculated that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad might finance construction to establish a wholly owned Pennsylvania route rivaling the Pennsylvania Railroad, or that bonds could be sold in London; these hopes were not realized. Furthermore, complaints from landowners prompted the Pennsylvania legislature to initiate quo warranto actions aiming to revoke the railroad’s overly expansive charter.
Reorganization
In 1877, to cover debts surpassing $14,000 owed to contractor Walter Scott, grading, property, and franchises in Baltimore County, Maryland were auctioned by the sheriff. Scott purchased these assets for $1,524 with plans to extend the line to Towson; however, he did not complete this project. Around 1878 or 1879, he sold the graded section between Towson and Swann Lake to the Baltimore and Delta Railway for $9,500. This portion eventually became incorporated into the narrow gauge Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, established in 1901, which remained operational until 1958. Remnants of incomplete grading can still be found near Towson Run and Lake Roland.
The Pennsylvania segment's mortgage bonds were foreclosed and reorganized on May 18, 1878, resulting in the formation of the Maryland and Delaware River Railroad. The new board included Leslie and former directors from Wilmington and Reading. William H. Bell, a railroad promoter from Branchville, New Jersey, was appointed president. By 1883, the company had discontinued holding stockholders' meetings and ceased filing reports with the state.