B & O Railroad Potomac River Crossing

The B & O Railroad Potomac River Crossing is a railway bridge spanning the river between Sandy Hook, Maryland and Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Today it carries freight trains and allows pedestrians, including hikers, to cross on foot.

Construction began in 1836 and the bridge was for decades the only railway crossing over the Potomac in this area. It survived the Civil War and remained essential for transporting goods across state lines.

The crossing connects two states and serves as a junction where hikers on the Appalachian Trail meet industrial heritage. The structure remains a symbol of how railroads shaped movement and commerce through the Potomac Valley.

Access is available from the Appalachian Trail and crossing on foot is free. Wear sturdy shoes since the surface is uneven and trains still pass through regularly.

The bridge features a Y-shaped configuration that connects multiple rail lines. This unusual design allowed the Winchester and Potomac Railroad to connect in 1837 and solved a practical challenge for 19th-century rail transport.

Location: Harpers Ferry

Location: Washington County

Architects: Wendel Bollman

GPS coordinates: 39.32417,-77.72861

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:03