What about you? Do you enjoy model trains or know someone who does? If so, would you be interested in becoming a member of the Society or donating time to help us with our train layout project plans? The historical society would love to turn our train collection into a really great part of the museum for kids to enjoy and to learn some community history.

Model Train Collection

The community of Catonsville is no stranger to trains and streetcars. In 1884 the Catonsville Short Line Railroad was established, with a steam engine pulling passenger and freight cars through residential land to a terminus on Frederick Road. By the 1890's, Catonsville had a double track streetcar line that ran along Frederick Road. The line extended from Catonsville to Baltimore and out to Towson, providing a line to the two growing Baltimore County suburbs.

The lower level of the Townsend House, entered from the Pullen Museum, is currently home to a working train-garden layout. Plans are being considered to add to or convert the layout to show the historic route of the Catonsville Short Line Railroad that once traveled from Loudon Park Cemetery to a terminal in the 700 block of Frederick Road, east of Mellor Ave.

Of particular interest at this time, is information about any of the crossings, stops, etc. of the Short Line Railroad, enroute from the cemetery to the to Frederick Road.

However, at this time the Society is in need of individuals with an interest in, and knowledge of model trains to help complete this task.

Another idea of interest would be to recreate a portion of the old streetcar lines that once ran through Catonsville.

In addition there are also some interesting toys to examine in this same area of the house making this an interesting spot for kids to check out.

A picture of a portion of our layout appears below.