The B&O Railroad Museum, located in Baltimore, Maryland, traces its origins to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition, where the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad showcased historic locomotives and railcars. After the exhibition, much of the collection returned to Baltimore, eventually forming the basis of the museum. In 1953, the B&O Transportation Museum officially opened in the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse at the Mount Clare Shops, a site considered the birthplace of American railroading.

The museum’s location is historically significant: Mount Clare Station, built in 1851, was the site of the first regular passenger rail service in the United States, launched in 1830. The museum preserves this legacy with over 250 pieces of rolling stock, including rare 19th-century locomotives like the William Mason (1856) and replicas such as the Tom Thumb (1830). It also houses thousands of artifacts, archival materials, and interactive exhibits that explore the evolution of rail technology and its impact on American society.

Throughout its history, the museum has weathered challenges, including a catastrophic roof collapse in 2003 caused by heavy snow, which damaged several historic locomotives. Restoration efforts led to the creation of a dedicated restoration shop, and by 2015, all damaged pieces had been repaired. In 1990, the museum became an independent nonprofit, and in 1999, it was named a Smithsonian affiliate, further cementing its national significance.

The museum also plays a vital role in interpreting social history. It documents the contributions of African American railroad workers, including Pullman porters, and in 2021, it was designated a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site by the National Park Service. Educational programs, model train exhibits, and seasonal events like “Day Out with Thomas” make it a popular destination for families and rail enthusiasts alike.

Today, the B&O Railroad Museum stands as one of the most comprehensive railroad museums in the world. Its 40-acre campus continues to celebrate nearly 200 years of American railroading, offering visitors a chance to ride the historic Mile One Express and explore the enduring legacy of the B&O Railroad—the company that helped shape the nation’s transportation, economy, and culture.

This historical summary of the B&O Railroad Museum was generated using AI and draws on publicly available sources as of July 2025.