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National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation

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Trip at a Glance

Source checked 2026-08-13
  • TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
  • LocationBaltimore, MD
  • Rating4.6 ★3,381 Google reviews
  • UpcomingWed, Oct 14
  • Typical rideApproximately 20 minutes round trip along the first mile of commercial railroad
  • Tickets & faresStandard Mile One Express: $5 adult, $4 child age 2–12, members free. Royal Blue observation-car upgrade: $12 adult, $8 child, $6 member

About National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation

The National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation—renamed from the B&O Railroad Museum in July 2026—operates the Mile One Express on the nation’s first mile of commercial railroad. The approximately 20-minute round trip is a separate onsite purchase, not part of general museum admission, and tickets are sold first come, first served. The museum itself is open daily and anchors a large Mount Clare campus with the 1884 roundhouse, locomotives, rolling stock, historic shops, exhibitions and restoration work. Use the official calendar for the exact operating day: the train can be canceled, and select summer Sundays or restoration-tour dates use different arrangements.

📍 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223📞 410-752-2490

Ways to Ride

Choose the visit that fits your group

Families, railfans, history visitors and first-time guests who can align with the single daily departure

Mile One Express

Take the approximately 20-minute seasonal ride along the first commercial railroad mile; purchase the separate ride ticket onsite.

Couples, adult railfans and families seeking a premium car, subject to limited onsite availability

Royal Blue observation car

Upgrade selected rides to the historic 1948 Royal Blue lounge car with light refreshments and a more immersive premium experience.

All ages, especially visitors who need a substantial museum experience beyond the short ride

Roundhouse and collection

Explore the 1884 roundhouse, early locomotives, Civil War equipment, model trains and 20th-century rolling stock.

Enthusiasts, repeat visitors and groups interested in collections care and railroad technology

Guided and behind-the-scenes tours

Official tours add deeper interpretation and restoration access on selected schedules.

Visitors who benefit from sensory planning and families seeking date-specific programming

Sensory Sundays and family programs

Selected days reduce sound and lighting and add quiet rooms; other current programs serve toddlers and families.

Plan Your Visit

  • ParkingFree secure off-street parking is available onsite at 901 West Pratt Street; six spaces are designated for mobility needs and front-door drop-off is permitted
  • AccessibilityBuildings and pathways meet ADA guidelines. The passenger train can accommodate two wheelchairs per trip; contact the museum for the intended departure
  • Museum HoursOpen daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Weather closures are posted by the museum
  • Museum Admission$20 adult; $17 senior age 60+; $12 child age 2–12; members free. Discounts have separate eligibility and generally do not apply to rides
  • Ride DurationApproximately 20 minutes round trip along the first mile of commercial railroad
  • Ride ScheduleApril–November 2026, generally Thursday–Sunday at 11:30 a.m.; second Wednesdays April–October at 11:30 a.m.; listed holiday Mondays. Select summer Sundays use 12:30 p.m.
  • Ride FaresStandard Mile One Express: $5 adult, $4 child age 2–12, members free. Royal Blue observation-car upgrade: $12 adult, $8 child, $6 member
  • PurchaseRide tickets are sold onsite, first come, first served. Museum admission does not include the ride. Check the official calendar because service can be canceled
  • SensoryFree sensory kits, a sensory map, social narratives and designated Sensory Sundays are available
  • FoodThe official FAQ lists the Museum Café as open daily 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; confirm current service on the visit date
  • ContactCall 410-752-2490 for current admission, ride availability, access questions, groups and campus information

Find the Depot

Address

901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223

Get directions →

The Trains

The museum interprets American railroad development through locomotives, passenger cars, freight equipment and historic buildings rather than promising a particular locomotive on the Mile One Express. Roundhouse highlights include early B&O power and nationally important 19th-century equipment; later locomotives and cars extend into the North Car Shop and outdoor campus. The premium ride uses the historic 1948 Royal Blue lounge car when that upgrade is offered. Display status and ride assignment are different things: a famous locomotive in the collection should never be described as hauling the public train without current operator evidence.

History

1827

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was chartered on February 28.

1828

The railroad’s First Stone was laid at Mount Clare on July 4.

1830

Regular passenger service began from Baltimore toward Ellicott Mills.

1884

The present Mount Clare roundhouse was completed.

1953

The B&O Transportation Museum opened to the public at Mount Clare.

2003

A major snow-related roof collapse damaged the roundhouse and collection.

2004

The restored roundhouse reopened in November.

2026

The museum adopted the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation name.

See full history

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was chartered February 28, 1827, and laid its First Stone at Mount Clare on July 4, 1828. The site became the birthplace of American commercial railroading and a major railroad manufacturing complex. The present roundhouse was built in 1884. The B&O opened its transportation museum at Mount Clare in 1953, preserving early locomotives, cars, shops and archives on the historic campus. A roof collapse in February 2003 damaged the roundhouse and collection; the restored building reopened in November 2004. In July 2026 the institution adopted the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation name as it prepared for railroading’s 2027 bicentennial and a broader innovation-focused campus.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this still the B&O Railroad Museum?

It is the same institution and Mount Clare campus, renamed the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation in July 2026.

Is the train ride included with admission?

No. Mile One Express tickets are purchased separately onsite and are first come, first served.

How long is the Mile One Express?

Approximately 20 minutes round trip.

When does it run in 2026?

Generally Thursday through Sunday at 11:30 a.m. from April through November, plus listed second Wednesdays and holiday Mondays. Exceptions apply, so check the official calendar.

How much is the ride?

Standard tickets are $5 adult and $4 child age 2–12; members ride free. Observation-car tickets are $12 adult, $8 child and $6 member.

Can the train accommodate wheelchairs?

The museum says the passenger train can accommodate two wheelchairs per trip. Contact the museum for the intended departure.

Is parking free?

Yes. Secure off-street onsite parking is free.

What if the ride is canceled?

The operator warns rides can be canceled without prior notice. Confirm the calendar and ask admissions staff on arrival.

Is there food onsite?

The museum FAQ currently lists the café as open daily 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; confirm service on the visit date.

What should I see first?

Check the ride time immediately, then plan the roundhouse and collection around it so the single departure is not missed.

Sources & Verification

Source-checked August 13, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.

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