Prior to the creation of the Hagerstown & Frederick Railroad the Monocacy Valley Railroad operated between Catoctin Furnace and Thurmont. The MVRR carried supplies and finished products between Catoctin Furnace and the Western Maryland Railroad Station in Thurmont. The MVRR was taken over by the Washington Frederick & Gettysburg Railroad, the plan was to complete a railroad from Washington to Gettysburg. The MVRR was included in the Frederick to Thurmont portion of the line. From Thurmont you could take the WMRR to Rocky Ridge and ride the Emmitsburg Railroad to Emmitsburg. The WF&GRR never realized it's original plan for a rail line from Washington to Gettysburg.
