WB Tower - Still Standing But At Risk

On December 9th, 2011, WB Tower in Brunswick, Maryland closed after more than a century of operation and in 2014 I posted a write-up on WB tower and its associated interlocking before it was modernized.  At the time the scuttlebutt was that the Brunswick Heritage Museum was interested in preserving the tower and adding it to its collection, something that would likely involve a move off of CSX property.

Well it appears that only part of this plan has come to fruition as the tower is still standing and has maintained many of its historic elements, but it is at risk of falling into neglect, disrepair and, the scourge of wooden towers everywhere, arson.

Upon visiting the tower the door to the relay room was wide open. An invitation to any local transient looking to get out of the elements.

Inside the relay racks were stripped of relays, but still wired up presenting a target for copper hunters.

On the upper floor an early pattern of US&S electro-pneumatic interlocking machine was still present along with the model board, representing a huge win for preservation, but the building was clearly no longer being used by CSX or MARC in any capacity.  The power was cut and the structure was in limbo, waiting for someone to care for it or someone to tear it up. 

Hopefully the Brunswick Heritage Museum can complete its mission to in some way preserve and protect the building.  If they cannot yet move it perhaps a better door, new locks and some lighting could make it look lived in. A modest fundraising campaign could probably bring back electricity as well as a connection for internet connected cameras that could serve the fan community as well as detect vandals.