Catonsville Short Line Trail

A Baltimore County and Baltimore City Rails to Trails Path through Catonsville and Southwest Baltimore, MD

Catonsville Short Line Trail

The Catonsville Short Line Trail (CSLT) is a 2.4-mile multi-use trail in Baltimore County and Baltimore City, Maryland. It is constructed as three separate sections: Catonsville West, Catonsville East, and the Beechfield Section. The Catonsville West and East sections are connected through wayfinding signs that guide users to the Frederick Road crossing of I-695. The Beechfield Section is not yet connected to the remainder of the CSLT.

Catonsville Rails to Trails is actively working to continue the CSLT’s development, connecting the Catonsville East section around Charlestown Senior Living to the Beechfield Section, and constructing a pedestrian bridge over I-695 to connect Catonsville East to Catonsville West. Once complete, the trail will be a 3 mile continuous multi-use trail connecting Main Street Catonsville, UMBC, Paradise, Western Tech, Charlestown, and Southwest Baltimore. 

Catonsville Short Line Trail

Features

  • The Charlestown section of the trail is a dense woodland trail teaming with wildlife including deer, fox, and wild turkeys.
  • Cemetery Overlook – The trail provides a breathtaking view of the National Cemetery aka “Little Arlington”. CRTT has created a peaceful overlook area to memorialize these brave veterans.
  • Birds of Paradise Birdhouse Project – Over 30 birdhouses adorn the trail. Part art project and part habitat project, the birdhouses bring a whimsical feel to the trail.
  • A large mural at the Shady Nook Ave intersection depicts a train bridge that once crossed over the Beltway.
  • The Spring Grove portion of the trail features the original railroad tracks and historical wayside exhibits.
  • The boardwalk section of the trail connects the Mellor section to Bloomingdale Ave.
  • The Beechfield section of the trail is disconnected from the rest of the trail but is accessible via S. Beechfield Ave.
Spring Grove

The boardwalk trail behind Catonsville Elementary School

Spring Grove

Catonsville Short Line Trail History

The Catonsville Short Line Railroad ran from St. Agnes Station (present day Loudon Park), on the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad (B&P, now Amtrak), to Catonsville — about 3.5 miles. Ground was broken on December 6, 1883, with completion in November 1884, at an estimated price of $37,000. The line ran as many as 8 round trip passenger trains a day to Baltimore and numerous freight trains and special trains.

Service on the Catonsville Short Line was abandoned with the last carload running in April 1972. Today, the Catonsville Short Line is enjoying a rebirth as a 2.4 mile multi-use trail. Since 1999, Catonsville Rails To Trails has been raising funds, overseeing construction and promoting the trail. The trail is approximately 80% complete as of 2026.

Short Line Station

Short Line Ticket office on Frederick Rd.

Parking

Parking on east side of the Beltway
Parking is available behind Western School of Technology during non-school hours. Parking is also available along Garden Ridge Road, Paradise Ave, and Shady Nook Ave.

Parking on the west side of the Beltway
Parking is available near the Armory at 130 Mellor Ave., and near 55 Wade Ave.

Jays Country Store

Lily Mae is a goose at the Short Line entrance

View a 17-minute video produced by the Charlestown Retirement Community