The Past. The Present. The Possible.

The timing is intentional. In 2027, the nation will commemorate the 200th anniversary of American railroading, making this a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine the Museum’s role for the next century of rail. The announcement also coincides with the Museum’s $38 million campus transformation, which includes restoring one of the nation’s most significant railroad buildings, opening nationally significant archives to the public for the first time, and launching Innovation Hall. 

The new name reflects the Museum’s national significance and expanded role. The Museum is the birthplace of American railroading and is located on the historic grounds of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the nation’s first common carrier railroad. Situated on a 40-acre National Historic Landmark campus, the Museum is also a Smithsonian Affiliate and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. The new name recognizes the Museum’s unique responsibility to preserve America’s railroad legacy while exploring the continuing evolution of rail transportation. 

The B&O Railroad is not being removed from the Museum’s story—quite the opposite. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad will always remain the foundation of the Museum’s identity and visitor experience. The new name reflects the Museum’s broader national role while honoring the B&O’s legacy as the railroad that launched American railroading. Visitors will continue to experience the B&O story throughout the historic campus, original B&O buildings, collections, archives, educational programming, and train experiences. 

The Museum’s $38 million campus transformation is one of the most significant investments in its history, expanding the visitor experience while preserving one of America’s most important railroad landmarks. 

At the heart of the project is the restoration of the 33,000-square-foot South Car Works, the oldest continuously operating railroad repair facility in the United States. Closed to the public for decades because it no longer met modern building codes, the historic structure is being fully restored and opened to the public for the first time. 

When completed, South Car Works will house the Museum’s nationally significant railroad archives, comprising more than 30 million documents; two state-of-the-art smart classrooms supporting education and research; and an Innovation Hall, a first-of-its-kind Museum experience exploring the present and future of railroading technologies. 

The transformation also includes expanded visitor experiences, new gathering spaces, an outdoor amphitheater, improved accessibility, and enhanced campus amenities. Together, these investments preserve nationally significant historic resources while creating new opportunities for visitors to explore the past, engage with the present, and imagine the possibilities shaping the future of rail transportation. 

Opening in 2027, the Innovation Hall will be a first-of-its-kind Museum experience dedicated to the present and future of railroading technologies. Through immersive exhibits and interactive experiences, visitors will explore engineering, automation, sustainability, freight systems, passenger mobility, and the innovations shaping the future of rail transportation. 

The Future of Rail exhibition will debut in January 2027. The Innovation Hall reflects the museum’s commitment to helping visitors understand not only where American railroading began, but where it is headed—The Past. The Present. The Possible. 

For the first time in the Museum’s history, visitors will have public access to the Museum’s nationally significant railroad archives. Comprising more than 30 million documents, the collection represents one of the nation’s most important repositories chronicling the history, development, and impact of American railroading. The archives will become an integral part of the visitor experience while continuing to support researchers and historians. 

In addition to the Museum’s historic campus, collections, train rides, and signature events, visitors will experience the fully restored South Car Works building, public access to the museum’s nationally significant archives, Innovation Hall, expanded gathering spaces, an outdoor amphitheater, and new educational experiences. Together, these additions create more opportunities to explore the history, innovation, and future of American railroading. 

The Museum is uniquely positioned to serve as the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation because it is the birthplace of American railroading and is located on the historic grounds of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the nation’s first common carrier railroad. 

Situated on a 40-acre National Historic Landmark campus, the Museum is also a Smithsonian Affiliate and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. It is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of 19th-century railroad rolling stock and preserves one of the nation’s most significant railroad archives, comprising more than 30 million documents that chronicle the history, development, and impact of American railroading. 

The Museum’s reach is equally national. Each year, it welcomes visitors from all 50 states and more than 40 countries, reflecting the enduring significance of American railroading and the Museum’s role in sharing that story with audiences from around the world. 

Yes. Visitors searching online for the B&O Railroad Museum will automatically be redirected to the museum’s new website at www.nationalrailroad.org. Existing B&O web addresses will also redirect automatically to the new site. 

The 200th anniversary of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Charter—the beginning of American railroading—is February 28, 2027. The Museum will commemorate this historic milestone with exhibitions, educational programming, community events, and special celebrations throughout 2027. Additional details will be announced as plans are finalized. 

The Museum’s historic campus, collections, train experiences, educational programs, and commitment to preserving the legacy of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad remain unchanged. The Museum will continue to tell the story of the railroad that transformed America while expanding opportunities to explore the continuing impact and future of rail transportation. 

The tagline reflects the Museum’s vision. “The Past.” honors the remarkable history that began on this historic site nearly 200 years ago. “The Present.” recognizes the vital role rail continues to play in moving people, goods, and economies.

“The Possible.” looks ahead to the innovations, technologies, and ideas that will shape the future of rail transportation.