National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation

National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation The National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation (formerly the B&O Railroad Museum) — where American railroading began.
(1267)

Step into our new Innovation Hall, opening January 2027, and discover the past, the present, and the possible.

Last year, Fort Hood in Texas announced the production of ATLAS, the Army’s first 100% battery-electric, zero-emission l...
08/24/2026

Last year, Fort Hood in Texas announced the production of ATLAS, the Army’s first 100% battery-electric, zero-emission locomotive. Led by Dominion Energy and funded by the State of Texas, this project seeks to retrofit one of the Army’s older diesel-eclectic engines with a lithium-ion battery produced by Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT). This state-of-the-art battery can hold its charge for 12 hours, and it can recharge in just 2.5 hours.

Once complete, the new ATLAS will be used for yard switching services at Fort Hood’s Rail Operations Center (ROC), one of the busiest railroad junctions used by the US military. This project is considered a major leap forward in the Army’s push to make its operations more fuel efficient and environmentally sustainable. To learn more about the project, check out the link below:
https://forthoodmediacenter.com/u-s-army-unveils-first-100-battery-powered-electric-locomotive-at-fort-hood/

Photo Credit: Spc Bowden Drake-Deese, III Armored Corps Public Affairs

Care for a little travel music? 🎶 Last week, Amtrak partnered with Away and design engineer Josh Wolk to launch Train Ja...
08/23/2026

Care for a little travel music? 🎶

Last week, Amtrak partnered with Away and design engineer Josh Wolk to launch Train Jazz, a program that lets you listen to jazz music composed by the railroad itself . The program tracks every train in the Amtrak network, turning each train into an instrument in a 15-second measure. Every note is determined by the trains’ real-time locations, so the melody is never repeated.

The program uses 7 instruments, each instrument representing the 7 ways Amtrak connects the country: Acela, Northeast, California, Midwest, Northwest, South and West. To learn more about the program and listen to some jazz, check out the link below:

https://www.aico.nyc/amtrak

Photo Credit: Train Jazz website

Next month, America remembers 25 years since the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Here at the Museum, we are remembering the f...
08/22/2026

Next month, America remembers 25 years since the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Here at the Museum, we are remembering the first responders who lost their lives saving others during our First Responders Showcase.

During our remembrance ceremony, take a moment to pause and reflect on our fallen first responders. Guests will also get the opportunity to watch a moving Color Guard presentation.

The day doesn’t end there, as visitors will also get the opportunity to speak one- on- one with First Responders about their community work and witness a live controlled collision between a car and train. It is a day of honoring our first responders, but it is also a day of educating the public on safety. Learn more at the link below:

https://nationalrailroad.org/events/first-responders-showcase/

This weekend, step into the past during our Unlocked series. Every month, the Museum gives you an opportunity to step i...
08/21/2026

This weekend, step into the past during our Unlocked series.

Every month, the Museum gives you an opportunity to step inside a different locomotive or railcar on select days. This month’s piece is a fan favorite, the C&O No. 490 “Hudson.” Notable for its iconic yellow paint scheme and streamlined shell, this engine served on the C&O Chessie line between Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati, Ohio. Now, visitors can enter the cab of the famous C&O “Yellowbelly” and learn more about this engine’s history from one of the Museum’s knowledgeable docents. Experience the past in the present on August 22 and 23 from 10 AM-4 PM.

Did you know that the B&O No. 57 “Memnon” is one of the few remaining locomotives that saw combat in the Civil War? The...
08/20/2026

Did you know that the B&O No. 57 “Memnon” is one of the few remaining locomotives that saw combat in the Civil War?

The last surviving locomotive made by the Newcastle Manufacturing Company, the No. 57 was used to carry both troops and supplies for the Union Army during the Civil War. It’s pivotal role in the war would earn it the nickname the “Old War Horse.”

The No. 57 was made with eight driving wheels to evenly distribute its weight. This 0-8-0 “Eight Wheeler” design was favored by one of the B&O’s primary locomotive manufactures, Ross Winans. The “Memnon” was severely damaged when the roof of the B&O Roundhouse collapsed in 2003. It was fully restored by the Museum’s restoration team in February 2008, and it now currently resides in our B&O Roundhouse.

Last year, Operation Lifesaver listed the 25 states with the most collisions at railroad-highway intersections (also kno...
08/19/2026

Last year, Operation Lifesaver listed the 25 states with the most collisions at railroad-highway intersections (also known as “grade crossings”). We are happy to say that Maryland did not make that list.

Let’s keep up the good work and continue to raise awareness about the importance of rail safety. On September 12, join us for our annual First Responders Showcase at the Museum. Meet first responders to hear about an average day on the job, and to learn essential life and safety skills like CPR & First Aid. Then, take a train ride down to our Restoration Shop to witness a controlled collision between an automobile and a locomotive. Afterward, a real-life fire and rescue team will perform a simulated rescue using their extrication tools. This event is sure to be both educational and unforgettable. Get your tickets at the link below:

https://theborailroadmuseuminc.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/first-responders-showcase_1

This August 23 at 12:30 PM, enjoy a sweet treat on our Mile One Express as you ride along the nation’s first mile of com...
08/18/2026

This August 23 at 12:30 PM, enjoy a sweet treat on our Mile One Express as you ride along the nation’s first mile of commercial railroad. Make summer memories that will last much longer than ice cream. Tickets to ride can be bought on-site at our front desk.

Union Pacific Railroad, one of the largest railroads in the United States, is revolutionizing train assembly and dispatc...
08/17/2026

Union Pacific Railroad, one of the largest railroads in the United States, is revolutionizing train assembly and dispatching using their state-of-the-art Physics Train Builder (PTB) modeling software. This physics-based computer program simulates the movement of thousands of trains across the UP network and recommends the safest, most efficient combination of rail cars for each train. To do this, PTB considers a variety of factors including train weight, railcar position, and track grade.

PTB can also provide real-time safety updates to engineers while a train is in motion. If an incident occurs, the software can determine the root cause in a matter of minutes. In the past, this sort of investigation would have required weeks of work and an outside contractor.

Photo Credit: Association of American Railroads/Union Pacific

May we never forget the brave first responders who lost their lives during the tragedy of 9/11. This September, join th...
08/16/2026

May we never forget the brave first responders who lost their lives during the tragedy of 9/11.

This September, join the Museum as we host our annual First Responders Showcase, where the public is encouraged to learn about the role that first responders play in our society.

Speak directly with first responders, view a simulated extrication demonstration performed by a real fire and rescue team, and remember fallen first responders during our remembrance ceremony featuring a Color Guard presentation. This September marks 25 years since 9/11. Let’s make sure we never forget those who lost their lives saving others.

Get your tickets to this event at the link below:

https://nationalrailroad.org/events/first-responders-showcase/

A story from the past, reworked to find its place in the present. We are continuing our social media series Pop Culture ...
08/15/2026

A story from the past, reworked to find its place in the present.

We are continuing our social media series Pop Culture Corner today with a look at Hadestown, the award-winning musical that recently earned a record-breaking $10.2 million during its opening weekend in cinemas. A displaced take on the original Greek myths of Hades and Persephone and Orpheus and Eurydice, this musical’s pro-shot features well-known names such Eva Noblezada, Reeve Carney, and Baltimore’s own André De Shields.

In this musical, trains are used to travel to the underworld. In the show’s opening number titled “Road to Hell,” De Shields, who plays Hermes, references the train when introducing the characters such as Persephone. For example:

“And on the road to Hell there was a railroad line

And a Lady steppin’ off a train

With a suitcase full of summertime

Persephone, by name!”

Though it was believed that the musical would only play in cinemas for 5 days, Hadestown was given an extended theatrical run due to its breakout popularity.

Image Credit: Playbill

Address

901 W Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD
21223

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+14107522490

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation:

Shortcuts

Share

Category