The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum and a National Historic Landmark. The museum showcases a variety of artifacts related to early American railroading.
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What rail lines are represented at the B&O Railroad Museum?
- The museum features the B&O line, the Western Maryland line, and the Chesapeake and Ohio line, among others.
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What is significant about the location of the B&O Railroad Museum?
- The museum sits on a 40-acre campus that includes the site of the first commercial long-distance rail line.
- It is also home to the first passenger train station in American history.
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What does the B&O Railroad Museum’s permanent collection include?
- The collection includes over 200 locomotives and railroad artifacts such as tools, timepieces, uniforms, furniture, fine art, and silver.
- A collection of toy trains and train models showcases America's fascination with railroading.
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What types of locomotives are in the B&O Railroad Museum collection?
- The locomotive and rolling stock collection dates back to the start of American railroading.
- It includes steam engines from the 1820s, both restored originals and replicas.
- The museum also has electric and diesel engines, passenger and freight trains, and a 1915 hand pump car.
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What exhibits can visitors see at the B&O Railroad Museum?
- The Alex Brown & Sons Exhibition Gallery displays small artifacts from the collection on a rotating basis.
- Current exhibits include the Smithsonian’s collection of railroad models, considered among the finest in the world.
- The About Time exhibit showcases wall clocks, pocket watches, and other timepieces used by the B&O Railroad.
- This exhibit highlights the importance of accurate timekeeping in the railroad industry and the role of railroads in standardizing time.
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Why is the B&O Railroad Museum’s site historically significant?
- The museum’s buildings and structures are recognized as a National Landmark.
- The ruins of the “tender kitchen”, built in 1919, where locomotive tenders were repaired, can be seen.
- The Mt. Clare depot, built in 1851, is the oldest building on campus and originally served as a passenger station.
- The Baltimore & Ohio Passenger Car Works, built around 1870, originally housed facilities for building and repairing passenger cars.
- The Roundhouse, built in 1884, was once a passenger car shop.
- The Annex building, built in 1884, now serves as the museum's main entrance, featuring permanent collection galleries and a gift shop.
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What is the history of the B&O Railroad Museum?
- The B&O Railroad was America’s first commercial long-distance railroad.
- By the 1880s, the railroad actively promoted itself as America’s First Railroad and hired a publicity agent.
- The museum's origins trace back to PR agent Joseph G. Pangborn, who created a gold-medal-winning exhibit showcasing historic locomotives and replicas.
- The collection was eventually housed in the Mt. Clare Roundhouse, opening to the public as the B&O Transportation Museum in 1953.
- After the B&O Railroad merged with other lines, the museum became an independent nonprofit in 1990.
- In 1999, it became one of only seven U.S. museums affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.
- Today, it is known as “America’s Railroad Museum” and attracts over 200,000 visitors annually.
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What educational programs does the museum offer?
- The museum provides lesson plans for field trips, guided tours, and downloadable materials for educators.
- The Lego programs for children under 15 allow hands-on learning about rail cars and railway building.
- The Steam Days event, held annually in October, features operating steam engines and associated activities.
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Where is the B&O Railroad Museum located?
- Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum
- 901 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21223
- Phone: 410-752-2490
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