The original Ma & Pa was the narrow gauge Maryland Central Railroad, which reached Bel Air in 1883. After merging with the York and Peach Bottom Railway in 1891, it became the Baltimore and Leheigh Railroad. This meandering line, known for its high trestles, transitioned to standard gauge in 1901 and became the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, fondly remembered as the Ma & Pa. Running from Baltimore to York, it had 77.2 miles of track connecting two cities 47 miles apart as the crow flies.