Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum is a museum showcasing historic locomotives and railroad equipment, located in Baltimore, Maryland, near the Inner Harbor. It was founded by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and is one of the oldest and largest railroad museums in the United States, with a collection of over 200 railroad cars and locomotives, including the Tom Thumb (locomotive), built by Peter Cooper in 1830. The museum is situated on the site of the historic Mount Clare Shops, a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad facility that dates back to 1829 and was a major railroad hub during the American Civil War.

● History

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum was established in 1953 by a group of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad employees and railroad enthusiasts, including Cyrus Eaton and John Work Garrett, who were dedicated to preserving the history of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the railroad industry as a whole, with support from organizations like the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress. The museum's early collection included locomotives and railroad cars from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, as well as other railroad companies, such as the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Over the years, the museum has expanded its collection to include locomotives and railroad cars from other notable railroad companies, including the Union Pacific Railroad, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and Southern Railway (US). The museum has also hosted various events and exhibitions, including the National Railway Historical Society convention and the Train Collectors Association show.

● Collections and Exhibits

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum features a vast collection of railroad equipment and artifacts, including locomotives, railroad cars, and railroad memorabilia, with exhibits on the history of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the American Civil War, and the development of the railroad industry in the United States, with contributions from institutions like the National Museum of American History and the United States National Archives. The museum's collection includes the Tom Thumb (locomotive), the John Bull (locomotive), and the York (locomotive), as well as railroad cars from the 20th century, such as the Pullman car and the dining car. The museum also features exhibits on the history of railroad companies, including the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, Pennsylvania Railroad, and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, with artifacts and documents from the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.

● Locomotives and Rolling Stock

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum has an extensive collection of locomotives and railroad cars, including steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, and electric locomotives, with examples from manufacturers like General Electric, Electro-Motive Corporation, and American Locomotive Company. The museum's collection includes the Tom Thumb (locomotive), built by Peter Cooper in 1830, and the John Bull (locomotive), built by Robert Stevens (engineer) in 1831, as well as locomotives from the 20th century, such as the EMD GP30 and the GE U25B. The museum also features a collection of railroad cars, including passenger cars, freight cars, and maintenance of way equipment, with examples from companies like the Pullman Company and the American Car and Foundry Company.

● Restoration and Preservation Efforts

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum is committed to the restoration and preservation of historic locomotives and railroad cars, with a team of skilled craftsmen and volunteers working to restore equipment to its original condition, using techniques and materials from the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution. The museum has restored several locomotives and railroad cars to operating condition, including the Tom Thumb (locomotive), which is operated on a regular basis, and the John Bull (locomotive), which is on display in the museum's roundhouse. The museum also offers restoration and preservation services to other railroad museums and historical societies, including the National Railway Historical Society and the Railway Museum Association.

● Visitor Information

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum is open to visitors year-round, with guided tours and self-guided tours available, and offers a variety of activities and events, including train rides, model train displays, and historical reenactments, with partnerships with organizations like the National Museum of American History and the United States National Archives. The museum is located near the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, and is accessible by public transportation, including the Maryland Transit Administration and the Charm City Circulator. Visitors can also explore the museum's gift shop, which offers a variety of railroad-themed items, including model trains, books, and apparel, with products from companies like Lionel, LLC and Walthers. Category:Railroad museums in the United States