Every February, I am reminded of the last trolley run between Thurmont and Frederick and the important part it played in the history of our community and the services it rendered to all the folks who lived along the 17 mile route.

It all began back in 1898 when the Monocacy Valley Railroad was operating successfully between Catoctin Furnace and Thurmont, when another railroad was being considered by the citizens of Frederick, Md.

Plans were to construct a line from Washington, D.C. to Frederick, then north to Thurmont and on to Gettysburg, Pa. By using the tracks of the Monocacy Valley Railroad and the Emmitsburg Railroad construction costs could be cut considerably.

Why the construction of the Washington-Gettysburg Railroad began in Frederick instead of Washington no one really knows, but it is believed that obtaining the tracks of the Monocacy Valley and the Emmitsburg Railroads, was a major factor in the decision to start from Frederick and head north, rather than from Washington west to Frederick.

In 1905 construction of the line began in Frederick and headed north to Lewistown. By 1907 the line was completed from Lewistown to Catoctin Furnace by J. L. McDonogh & Company. This resulted in providing continuous track from Frederick to Thurmont, where it made connections with the Western Maryland Railroad.

The line between Frederick and Washington and from Thurmont to Gettysburg was never completed. It was in 1909 when the line from Frederick to Thurmont was the subject of electrification and the line became the very first electric railroad in the United States to handle freight cars as well and electric locomotives. It was this same year that the first electric passenger car made its maiden run from Frederick to Thurmont.

The trolley car left from a station along Main Street in Thurmont in front of what is now the Guardian Hose Company carnival grounds, just two blocks from the center of town. The trolley line followed gentle curves along the base of the Catoctin Mountains with scenic pastoral views to the east. From Thurmont, the passenger train went through Catoctin Furnace onto Lewistown and then through the rural communities of Bethel, Yellow Springs and into Frederick through the campus of Hood College ending at the station on Fifth Street.

The coming of the trolley brought with it many changes. There were leisurely excursions into the country. These offered the opportunity for picnics, scenic rides and providing transportation to work.

Gradually the automobile and the bus came into its own and patronage of the trolley began to dwindle. But there were those who remained faithful commuters to the very end.

In January of 1954, owner of the line The Potomac Edison Co., announced that passenger service between Thurmont and Frederick had declined to such an extent that it would be discontinued.

Then came that fateful day — Saturday, February 20, 1954. The Thurmont trolley made its final run. Although it was cloudy and raining, a large crowd was on hand in Thurmont to witness the final run, and some of the locals climbed aboard and joined the dignitaries for that final run.

Speaking on behalf of the citizens of Thurmont, C. Ray Weddle, mayor, remarked that "although the trolley service has come to an end, the citizens will long remember its service and contribution to community life and it will be preserved in memory and take its place as part of the rich history of Thurmont."

I was onboard that morning for the final run to Frederick and for many, that final run and for some it brought mist to the eyes and a sentimental ache in the heart.

Freight service from Thurmont to Frederick continued for several years, and in 1958 this too was abandoned and the tracks were removed.

Read George Wiremans: Thurmont-Frederick trolley system