Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains/ICC valuations/Baltimore Belt Railroad

Interstate Commerce Commission, Valuation Reports, Volume 42

The Baltimore Belt Railroad

Location and General Description of Property

The railroad of The Baltimore Belt Railroad Company, herein after called the Baltimore Belt Railroad, is located entirely within the State of Maryland and extends from Bay View to Hamburg Street, Baltimore, a distance of 7.296 miles with 7.241 miles of second, 1.108 miles of third, and 1.108 miles of fourth main tracks. This property which also forms a part of the principal main line to Chicago has an important tunnel between Camden and Mount Royal stations through which trains are hauled by electric locomotives, the remainder of the road being steam operated.

Introductory

The Baltimore Belt Railroad is a corporation of the State of Maryland, having its principal office at Baltimore, Md. The available accounting records were established June 30, 1902. The record of its affairs prior to that date was taken from the books of the Baltimore and Ohio. The company is controlled by the Baltimore and Ohio through ownership of capital stock. The records do not indicate that this company controls any common-carrier corporation.

The property was operated by the Baltimore and Ohio from date of completion to December 31, 1917. Since January 1, 1918, it has been operated by the United States Railroad Administration as part of the Baltimore and Ohio system.

Corporate History

The Baltimore Belt Railroad was incorporated December 17, 1888, under the general laws of Maryland, for the purpose of building and operating a railroad from Camden Station, in the city of Baltimore, to a point in Baltimore County, Md. It was organized February 26, 1889.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The owned road, 7.296 miles, was acquired by construction under agreement dated July 12, 1890, with the Maryland Construction Company. The road was opened for passenger traffic May 1, 1895, and for freight traffic August 4, 1895, by the Baltimore and Ohio under an agreement of January 6, 1890, which provided for operation by that company for 999 years.

Leased Railway Property

The entire property is leased to the Baltimore and Ohio as stated in the report on that company.