Baltimore's Iconic B&O Railroad Museum Unveils A Brand-New Name

After more than 70 years of operating under one of the most recognizable monikers in American transportation history, Baltimore’s celebrated B&O Railroad Museum is making a major change. As of this week, the birthplace of American railroading is officially rebranding as the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation.

While the name might take some getting used to, the change signals a massive, forward-looking transformation for the institution as it gears up for a historic milestone. Here is everything you need to know about the museum's new chapter.

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Why the Name Change?

The rebrand is perfectly timed to align with a monumental date on the horizon: 2027 marks the 200th anniversary of American railroading.

While the institution’s commitment to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad remains at its core, leadership felt the museum needed a title that accurately reflects its national reach and broader mission. Instead of being viewed solely as a regional or company-specific museum, the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation aims to encompass the past, present, and future of rail travel across the entire country.

A Transformative $38 Million Expansion

The new signage is just the tip of the iceberg. The name change comes coupled with a massive $38 million campus expansion, representing one of the most significant investments in the museum's history.

When you visit the 40-acre historic campus in the coming years, you can expect a radically upgraded experience:

• The Innovation Hall: Slated to open in 2027 alongside the bicentennial celebrations, this first-of-its-kind museum experience will look entirely to the future. Expect immersive and interactive exhibits focusing on modern engineering, automation, sustainability, and the next generation of high-speed passenger mobility.


• Expanded Public Archives: For the first time ever, the museum will open up public access to its staggering collection of more than 30 million historical documents, creating an unparalleled resource for historians and train enthusiasts.


• Upgraded Grounds: The project will also bring new visitor entry experiences, expanded gathering spaces, and a brand-new outdoor amphitheater to the historic Mount Clare site.

Will the New Name Stick?

Unsurprisingly, changing a beloved, decades-old name hasn't come without a bit of turbulence. The "B&O" brand is deeply ingrained in the minds of locals and transit enthusiasts alike—partially thanks to its immortalization on the classic Monopoly board.

Online reactions from rail fans have been mixed, with many arguing that the original name was punchy, historic, and authentic. It is a safe bet that for the foreseeable future, most Baltimoreans and longtime visitors will continue to affectionately refer to it simply as "the B&O."

The Bottom Line for Travelers

Whether you call it by its historic name or its new national title, the museum remains an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling to Maryland. Sitting on the exact spot where the nation's first passenger railroad service departed in 1830, it still houses the oldest and most comprehensive American railroad collection in the world.

The legacy of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad isn't going anywhere; it's simply getting a much-deserved, $38 million national spotlight.

12 Things You Don't Know About Amtrak

Contributed by David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

12) Amtrak serves full, cooked-to-order meals served on real dishes aboard all long-haul routes. These always include a vegetarian selection and often feature regional specialties. No airplane food zapped in a microwave in their dining cars.


The full service kitchen on Amtrak's Empire Builder. Elevators are used to send the entrees up to the dining room so every dish is fresh and piping hot. 

11) The Empire Builder and Coast Starlight host wine and cheese tastings. The samplings are always from farms and vinyards along the route.

10) Snacks, quick meals and beverages are also available in the cafe car... or if your timing is just right, we have seen a pizza get delivered to the train while we were stopped at a station.

9) There are really nice passenger lounges in most larger city stations with comfy chairs and couches, wifi, drinks, TV, and priority boarding for sleeper, first class, and top rewards club passengers. Feel like a VIP.

The sleeping car lounge in Chicago's Union Station


8) Coach seating is WAY more comfortable than other modes of transportation. More legroom, bigger seats, and usually a power outlet for every passenger. Wifi is showing up on many routes. Some trains have quiet cars where no cell phones are allowed and music or games must use headphones. Shhhhh!

7) There are different types of private rooms in the sleeper cars. Roomettes, provide for up to two passengers, while the Family Bedroom allows room for the kiddies. Some configurations have private bathroom and showers and features for passengers with disabilities are available. The ingenious designs make for both riding and sleeping comfort.

6) For those in the sleeper car without a private bath, there are showers.

5) You are not stuck sleeping on the train station floor if you miss a connection. We asked a wonderful lady -- traveling with a group of Red Hatters -- what happened when she was five hours late getting into Chicago.

4) You can get breakfast in bed. All meals are included (even the ones brought to your room!) in the sleeper car and Auto Train fares. Be nice and tip your attendants!

3) Many of the routes that pass through National Parks feature guides holding talks as a part of Trails & Rails Partnership Program with the National Park Service.

2) Bikes are welcome. Bring your bike aboard on several routes or check it as baggage on others. Unfortunately, no riding in the aisles or between cars is allowed.

1) Amtrak is environmentally friendly. Train travel is the most energy efficient mode of long distance transportation, 14 percent more efficient than domestic airline travel and 31 percent more efficient than auto travel on a per-passenger-mile basis. Plus, Amtrak recycles.