MDOT/MARC wagons

MARC: Roll The Wagons

In 1974/1976, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) began to provide financial support for commuter train service operated by the freight railroads (B&O / Conrail). The State's original role was to provide operating subsidies. But its involvement since then has increased to include system planning, ownership of rolling stock, and construction and expansion of stations, train storage and maintenance facilities. The service was branded as MARC (Maryland Rail Commuter Service) in 1984, but the acronym is now understood to represent "Maryland Area Regional Commuter." Today Amtrak operates the MARC Penn Line service over the NEC between Perryville and Washington, DC, while Bombardier operates MARC service over CSX's Baltimore-Washington route (the Camden Line), and between Martinsburg, WV and Washington, DC (the Brunswick Line), with a branch to Frederick. In the 1980s and 1990s, MDOT/MARC competed quite favorably with other commuter agencies in terms of sheer variety of motive power -- from RDCs to AEM7s to GP40s and rebuilt GP40s, and yes, even EMD "covered wagons." It should be noted that a few of the E-units were privately owned and leased to MARC Image: MDOT / MARC F9P #7183 leads an "Autumn Glory Special" excursion on 29 September 1984 at Oakland, Maryland.
Text and photos from guest contributor, Ted Grumbine, unless noted otherwise.

MARC: Roll The Wagons

In 1974/1976, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) began to provide financial support for commuter train service operated by the freight railroads (B&O / Conrail). The State's original role was to provide operating subsidies. But its involvement since then has increased to include system planning, ownership of rolling stock, and construction and expansion of stations, train storage and maintenance facilities.

The service was branded as MARC (Maryland Rail Commuter Service) in 1984, but the acronym is now understood to represent "Maryland Area Regional Commuter." Today Amtrak operates the MARC Penn Line service over the NEC between Perryville and Washington, DC, while Bombardier operates MARC service over CSX's Baltimore-Washington route (the Camden Line), and between Martinsburg, WV and Washington, DC (the Brunswick Line), with a branch to Frederick.

In the 1980s and 1990s, MDOT/MARC competed quite favorably with other commuter agencies in terms of sheer variety of motive power -- from RDCs to AEM7s to GP40s and rebuilt GP40s, and yes, even EMD "covered wagons." It should be noted that a few of the E-units were privately owned and leased to MARC

Image: MDOT / MARC F9P #7183 leads an "Autumn Glory Special" excursion on 29 September 1984 at Oakland, Maryland.

Text and photos from guest contributor, Ted Grumbine, unless noted otherwise.

* * * Photo Study * * *

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MARC E9A #60 (one of four leased units) Don Kalkkman photo	MARC E9Am #69 R. Craig photo	MARC F9PH #7181 Ted Grumbine photo
MARC F9PH #81 Don Kalkman photo	MDOT APCU #7100 Bill Johnson photo	MARC ACPU 7100 R. Craig photo
MARC F9PH #82 photographer unknown	MARC F9PHs 83 & 85 Vic Stone photo	MARC Excursion w/CSX FP7 #116 Don Kalkman photo
Notes & Credits Reference sources: Extra 2200 South (issues #103 to 111) MARC Official Roster (9 December 1990) Additional information/updates by: xxxxxxxxxx New: 1 February 2019

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