Rail service reached the lower Eastern Shore in 1860 when the Eastern Shore Railroad Co. reached Salisbury from northern Delaware, but trains did not reach Barren Creek Springs until 30 years later, when the Baltimore Eastern Shore RR came down from the upper Shore to Vienna and across the river to the town, then was extended eastward to Salisbury. After one year, the name changed to Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic RR, jokingly nicknamed by riders as "Black Cinders & Ashes" because of its open coaches. The railroad had an enormous impact on Barren Creek Springs, linking it with the upper Shore, Norfolk, Baltimore, and Annapolis so travelers could visit the town's famous mineral water springs, while local residents could ship agricultural produce and cases of bottled spring water.