B&O Railroad Museum

Step into the story of American railroading at the very place where it began!

The B&O Railroad forever changed the course of the city, the nation, and even the world. At the B&O Railroad Museum, visitors can step directly into history as they discover the story of American railroading. For it was here that the First Stone of the railroad and the nation’s first mile of commercial track were laid, where the Mt. Clare Shops produced countless innovations in railroad technology, where E. Francis Baldwin’s iconic Roundhouse still stands, and much more. All aboard – your journey to the birthplace of American railroading begins here!

Exhibits

Current

The War Came By Train
The largest Civil War railroad exhibit in the world!

Our new Model Train Gallery

The Smithsonian's Model Railroad Collection

Train Rides along America's first commercial mile of railroad right-of-way.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.