Railroads

Melvin "Mel" Collins was passionate about the history of Western Maryland, in particular the architectural history, and was a photographer and collector. This collection covers the bridges of Allegany County, Maryland, both Mel's photographs and older historical photographs. 

In May 1920, the General Manager of the Chambersburg, Greencastle and Waynesboro Electric Railway Company, Robert D. Sefton, 63, died due to staying put at his post after realizing the brakes of the middle train of a trolley he was manning were broken. Several other riders and workers were injured, with a few other men losing their lives during the crash. A jury later placed the blame on the brakes and the fact that the trolley left the Pen Mar station too soon after the first car, not giving enough time and space in case of accident.