Other Business Ventures

Like the larger railroads, the Hagerstown & Frederick Railway partnered with various “express agencies” to offer package and cargo shipments that could be exchanged between railroads and delivered to businesses and homes directly.  Express agencies were the precursor to parcel services we have today the likes of Fed Ex and UPS.  In addition. the railway transported bagged mail between towns on behalf of the US Postal Service.

At times, customers could also have packages or objects shipped from town to town along the trolley line and only deal with the trolley company directly.

These services were offered across the entire trolley system.  The greatest utilization of these services were along the Thurmont Division, however, as those trolleys met with every Western Maryland Railway passenger train at Thurmont, those steam powered passenger trains having a dedicated railroad postal office car as well.

Two exhibits on the inner wall of the trolley station explore the other businesses which were directly tied to the trolley system.

The first explores the growth of the company electric system – essential for the operation of trolleys – which became an additional revenue stream and grew into the company’s primary source of income.

After giving an overview of the various Washington County power plants built by the trolley system, this display then discusses the transition from a railway to a power company.  In 1923, the company took the name Potomac Edison.

In addition to power services, the company also provided all local and regional bus services, retail stores, and operated two amusement parks.  Between all of its ventures, the trolley system held a strong influence on many aspects of local life.

A small display case on the wall exhibits employee id badges, employee keys, and company related souvenirs.